Staff shortages and mammoth wait times are causing a crisis at Maitland Hospital.
New data has revealed the new facility had the highest number of admissions leave without treatment (2,481) in the state between July and September last year.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington, said the lengthy wait times are risking the lives of Hunter residents, and a Labor state government would address the issues.
"We have already committed to mandatory safe-staffing ratios of nurses in hospitals, because we know that it's not bricks and mortar that save lives, it's the nurses and doctors, and people that work within them," Ms Washington said.
"The Liberal Government has built this massive hospital, but they have just not staffed it properly."
Since opening at it's new site, the hospital has seen an 83% rise in walk-outs without treatment.
