Thousands of Victorians waiting months for surgery would receive treatment sooner under the Nationals and Liberal’s SurgerySooner plan.
By utilising existing private hospital capacity, the $1.27 billion SurgerySooner plan will deliver up to 25,000 additional surgeries each year and help halve Victoria’s surgery waitlist.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath said shockingly nearly 70,000 Victorians are waiting for elective surgery, including thousands of Category 2 and 3 patients who have already exceeded clinically recommended waiting times.
“Too many Victorians are being forced to live with pain and reduced mobility while they wait far too long for surgery,” Ms Bath said.
“Victorians deserve to get the surgery they need sooner, so they can get on with their lives.
“SurgerySooner will make better use of existing private hospital capacity to help more Victorians receive the treatment they need, sooner.”
Member for Morwell Martin Cameron said the initiative would improve patient outcomes while easing pressure on Victoria’s struggling public health system.
“Under Labor the elective surgery waitlist has blown out by around 10,000 people in a single year, highlighting Labor’s failure to address this growing crisis,” Mr Cameron said.
“SurgerySooner is a win-win, making better use of existing private hospital capacity to deliver more surgeries, sooner.
“Hospitals like Latrobe Valley’s Maryvale Private have the capacity and expertise to help reduce surgical backlogs and improve outcomes for those awaiting surgery.
“By increasing surgical activity in private hospitals, our plan will help more Victorians access treatment sooner, ease pressure on public hospitals and create new opportunities for graduate nurses and other healthcare workers.
“Queensland’s Surgery Connect program has shown how public-private partnerships can successfully reduce waitlists and help people access surgery sooner.”
Ms Bath said eligible public patients would be offered surgery at a participating private hospital at no cost, while retaining their public patient status.
“Wherever possible, patients will receive treatment closer to home, with procedures including hip and knee replacements, hernia repairs, gastroscopies, colonoscopies and gynaecological procedures.
“Victorians deserve access to surgery when they need it, and The Nationals’ in government will ensure more people get treated sooner and closer to home.”
Caption – The Nationals’ SurgerySooner program will make use of existing private hospital capacity to help the thousands of Victorians who live with pain and reduced mobility while waiting too long for surgery at public hospitals.
L-R CEO Maryvale Private Hospital Daniel Scholtes, Board Chair Nathan Voll, The Nationals’ Melina Bath, Member for Morwell Martin Cameron
