AdvertisementUpdated NationalNSWHealthcare Horror night for Sydney’s emergency departments Rachel Rasker Updated August 4, 2026 — 1:08pm ,first published 12:24pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Western Sydney hospitals were among the hardest hit. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the state would see continued presentations for flu-like illness throughout winter. Premier Chris Minns told 2GB it would be the worst three weeks of the year for emergency departments and warned people not to attend unless they were experiencing an actual emergency. Australian Medical Association NSW president Dr Fred Betros said telling patients to stay away from emergency departments “is not a health strategy”.