People at risk in hospital while waiting for NDIS care

Being in a hospital put people with disabilities at greater risk, a health district CEO said. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Hundreds of people with disabilities are "languishing" in public hospitals while they wait for adequate support, leaving them vulnerable to harm and infection, an inquiry has been told.

Workforce shortages and a lack of disability accommodation in rural areas has led to an increase in NDIS participants staying in hospital, Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Mark Spittal said.