Patient Bronwyn Evans was treated for lymphoma with surgery and chemotherapy for more than two years. She now has regular check ups at the hospital.
“It’s something that you would think you expect in a Third World country,” Ms Evans said.
Internal Health Department documents obtained through a Government Information request showed the facilities, built in the 1940s, were in need of an upgrade.
“They provide extremely poor [often non compliant] standard of accommodation and present security and work health and safety risks,” the documents noted.
“Concord Hospital cannot cater for the projected level of demand within its existing facilities and substantial capital investment is required,” the NSW Health June 2015 report titled ‘Concord Hospital Redevelopment: Preliminary Business Case’ said.
Concord Hospital was promised $150 million at the New South Wales state election in March 2015 but has yet to receive any of that extra funding.
Patient brought in own cleaning products for unclean bathroom
Ms Evans said the medical staff were fantastic but the hospital was so unclean she would often take her own cleaning products in to clean the bathroom.
“The bathrooms are woeful, the walls have got plaster coming off them, the ceilings are shabby, a lot of the equipment is old and tired and doesn’t work, it’s a disgrace,” she said.
The ABC was told of one incident where a possum had made its way into a ward and was found on a patient.
Another patient, John Hill, has an incurable bone marrow cancer and visits the hospital at least once a week for chemotherapy.
Mr Hill was also quick to praise medical staff but said the conditions were basic and it was an unpleasant environment for patients and staff.
“There are probably 20 or more beds, chairs, blood machines, all lined up looking at each other, hard plastic chairs for the carer and some of them are very old, all of those share one unisex toilet,” he said.
“It works but you wouldn’t want to be bashful.”
The ABC also spoke to a number of doctors at Concord Hospital who did not want to be named for fear of losing their jobs.
All of them said the hospital was in an appalling state and desperately needed an upgrade.
Liberal MP breaks ranks in support of funding calls
Drummoyne MP John Sidoti has spoken in Parliament a number of times about the lack of funding for Concord Hospital.
“I’m embarrassed and I’ll continue to advocate and I don’t care whose noses I put out of joint. Concord Hospital deserves a lot better,” Mr Sidoti told Parliament on March 15, 2016.
“It’s just not good enough that Concord Hospital can be put in the never, never basket.”
Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the $150 million promised to Concord Hospital would be available within the first term of government, between March 2015 and March 2019.
“In March last year, the NSW Liberals and Nationals made a commitment to fund a $150 million redevelopment of the Concord Hospital. This will allow Sydney Local Health District to implement its plan to build a new multi-storey building on the hospital grounds,” she said.
“It will include floors dedicated to acute aged care, sub-acute rehabilitation, psycho geriatric care, as well as an acute medical and surgical ward and ambulatory care.
“One floor will be known as the Rusty Priest Centre for Rehabilitation and Aged Care, which will include the nation’s first comprehensive care centre for returned servicemen and women.”
NSW Opposition spokeswoman Jodi McKay said: “The Government needs to commit the funds and the Government needs to start work urgently.
“Everyone says that this hospital needs upgrading as it is one of the worst hospitals in NSW in terms of facilities and infrastructure.”
Concord Hospital was built in the 1940s as a repatriation hospital for returned servicemen and their families.
The 452-bed hospital now provides services to the broader local community and is also a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Sydney.