Some of the state’s busiest emergency departments are participating in a trial that’s aimed to improve patient experiences.

Lismore, Blacktown, Nepean and Lismore hospitals are taking part in the six-month trial, which hopes to make our experience in hospital less stressful.

From November, a door greeter will welcome patients and direct them where to go and what they can expect.

Access to wifi, fact sheets and free beverages will also be on the cards.

New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard tells Deborah Knight the government made the decision after consulting doctors and nurses.

“They’re called emergency departments for a reason,” Minister Hazzard says.

“What we’ve been talking to doctors and nurses about is how do we think we can make this a little easier experience for individuals when they come in to emergency departments?”

When asked whether the focus should be on nurse-to-patient ratios before providing additional services, Mr Hazzard says the state government is adding staff to our hospitals.

He says they’ve added another 16,000 staff to the state’s hospitals, including 8,000 nurses.

Click PLAY below for the full interview