New preliminary data shows the overdue planned surgery waitlist at NSW public hospitals has reached its lowest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the Minns Labor Government established the Surgical Care Governance Taskforce in March 2023, NSW public hospitals have reduced the number of patients waiting longer than clinically recommended for a planned surgery by 86 per cent, from around 14,000 to around 1,900.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said the positive results are a testament to NSW's highly-skilled healthcare staff whose hard work, combined with the strategic direction of the Surgical Care Governance Taskforce, is ensuring more people throughout NSW receive their surgical procedures in a timely manner.
The Taskforce has made sustainable long-term changes to the way NSW Health delivers planned surgery. The Taskforce has successfully implemented a range of innovative statewide strategies to cut down wait times as well as improve and maintain access to planned surgery.
The most recent Bureau of Health Information Healthcare Quarterly report showed 86.2 per cent of all planned surgeries were performed on time in NSW public hospitals during the January to March quarter this year, an improvement of 11.2 per centage points compared with the same quarter in 2023.
Overall, NSW public hospitals performed 51,149 planned surgeries in the first quarter of this year, with almost all urgent planned surgeries (98.7 per cent) performed on time. These planned surgeries were in addition to 26,000 emergency surgical procedures which were performed during the same period.
The taskforce forms one part of the NSW Government's plan to build a better health system and alleviate pressure on the state's busy hospitals, including:
- Investing $480.7 million in an ED relief package which will help to avoid an estimated 290,000 visits to emergency departments each year by providing alternatives to EDs and improving patient flow.
- Boosting staff and treatment spaces
- Reducing overdue surgeries by safely increasing short stay procedures
- Empowering pharmacies to prescribe low complex medications, relieving pressure on our GPs.
- The NSW Government has committed $124 million over two years to deliver 25 urgent care services in NSW by mid-2025. A further $100 million has been provided as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget to continue the urgent care services program for a further two years to June 2027. It is also supported by funding from the Commonwealth Government.
NSW Health has also established the Surgical Care Strategic Committee to continue the important and positive work of the Taskforce on an ongoing basis.
These measures form part of the Government's comprehensive plan to deliver the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.
After 12 years of neglect and a lack of investment in our health system, the Minns Labor Government is rebuilding this essential service we all rely on.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"I'm pleased to announce today this significant milestone in our efforts to reduce overdue surgeries, this reduction is a massive turnaround and finally we've reached pre-pandemic levels."
"Tackling the number of patients sitting on overdue surgery waitlists has been a priority of mine since the first day in this job."
"In close to 15 months, the number of patients waiting longer than they should has been reduced by 86 per cent."
"While we are really impressed with the progress to date, we know that there is still more to be done, as people waiting for surgeries longer than clinically recommended are often in a lot of discomfort, which has a major impact on their day to day life."
Quotes attributable to Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:
"These results are a testament to the hardworking and dedicated clinicians not just here at Liverpool Hospital, but across the entirety of NSW, without them none of this would have been possible."
"Getting a much-needed planned surgery on time, means that patients can be on the road to recovery sooner, find relief and have enhanced long-term outcomes."
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