For the second consecutive year, the Tasmanian Government has delivered a record number of elective surgeries in a financial year.
Preliminary data has confirmed 21,627 elective surgeries have already been delivered this financial year – meaning more Tasmanians are getting the right health care sooner, despite increasing demand.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett said this was more proof that the Tasmanian Government's $196.4 million Statewide Elective Surgery Plan was working.
"We have invested significantly in elective surgeries in recent years and these positive results confirm our investment is working, with more Tasmanians able to have a better quality of life as a result," the Minister said.
"I would like to thank and acknowledge the hard work of our amazing health workforce, who continue to do an amazing job for the community."
The record number of elective surgeries have been delivered alongside a significant increase in demand, with the latest health dashboard figures also confirming there were 2,044 emergency and other surgeries and procedures performed statewide in May 2024.
"We know there is record demand and we continue to pull out all the stops to ensure we are providing the right care, at the right place, at the right time," the Minister said.
"There were 14,627 admissions to Tasmanian hospitals in May – the highest ever, while emergency department presentations have also surged across the State.
"There's no doubt this significant increase is presenting challenges, but we are responding strongly, and I am confident that under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future we can continue to make progress.
"We continue to progress the recommendations from the review into Tasmania's emergency departments that was released last month, which will help improve patient flow throughout our healthcare system more easily and help us provide better healthcare and to improve outcomes for all patients.
"The increase in demand also highlights the ongoing issues being seen in primary care, with around 40 per cent of people attending our hospitals able to be cared for by a GP.
"We will continue working collaboratively with the Federal Government to fix these issues and ensure Tasmanians that need a GP can access one.
"Increasing demand does present challenges, but we are responding strongly, and I am confident that under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future we will continue to make progress."
