Bunbury Hospital’s ramping hours plummet from record high, but Opposition argues it’s still much too high

Things are finally speeding up at the Bunbury Regional Hospital with ambulance ramping hours plummeting from a record high, but the State Opposition argues there is still huge room for improvement. Through December, Bunbury Hospital recorded 160.7 ramped hours compared to November’s record-breaking 272.1 hours. Ramping data from the last five years shows December’s ramped hours dropped an average of 16.24 per cent from previous months. According to the State Government, more patients presented to Bunbury’s emergency department in December than November, but a significant drop in respiratory virus-based patients assisted with patient flow. A State Government spokesperson said the numbers reflect investment in the industry, but its work wasn’t done yet. “We are pleased to see a reduction in ramping hours, but we know there is always more work to do,” the said. “Our Government will continually work to improve timely access to emergency care as our population grows and ages.” The spokesperson said the State attributed the reduction to the transition to more at-home care initiatives. “WA Health has also advised of an increase in South West callers utilising the newly expanded WA Virtual Emergency Department, which allows for patients and visiting tourists to be seen by a senior doctor from their home, caravan or care setting,” they said. “Of the 53 patients who used the service in the region in December, 70 per cent avoided needing to visit the emergency department.” Despite promising numbers, shadow health minister Libby Mettam said the 160-hour total is not nearly good enough, with regional hospitals still worse off. “While 160 hours ramping may be an improvement on the previous month’s worst on record, it’s certainly not something to be celebrated,” she said. “At a time when hospitals are not dealing with the flu burden, there is no excuse for such dangerous levels of ramping at a major regional hospital such as this. “Ramping is a significant concern in the regions because ambulances do not have the option to bypass a ramped hospital for an alternative, and ambulances stuck in hospital driveways directly affects response times to emergencies across the community.” Bunbury Hospital currently sits at 39 ramped hours over the first six days of 2026.