East Gippsland patients waiting for elective surgery would have greater access to treatment under the Liberals and Nationals’ $1.27 billion Surgery Sooner plan, which aims to deliver up to 25,000 additional operations each year across Victoria.
The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, said the plan would make better use of existing private hospital capacity to reduce waiting times and ease pressure on the public hospital system.
“Too many people are living with ongoing pain, discomfort and reduced mobility while waiting up to a year for surgery,” Ms Rendell said.
“I regularly hear from people who have been waiting far too long for procedures that would relieve their pain and allow them to get back to living normal lives.
“For many, these are procedures that can make an enormous difference to their quality of life and their ability to work, care for their families and enjoy everyday activities.
“Our Surgery Sooner plan will utilise existing private hospital capacity to get more people treated sooner, with the aim of halving Victoria’s elective surgery waiting list.
“Importantly, eligible public patients would be offered surgery at participating private hospitals at no cost to them, while retaining their public patient status.
“This is about making better use of the hospital facilities and medical expertise we already have to get people the treatment they need.”
The $1.27 billion commitment aims to deliver up to 25,000 additional surgeries annually, targeting a waiting list that has grown to nearly 70,000 Victorians, including thousands of Category 2 and 3 patients who have exceeded clinically recommended waiting times.
Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the initiative would be particularly important for regional patients who already faced additional challenges accessing specialist medical care.
“When you’re living in a regional area, waiting for surgery can be especially difficult, particularly when you may also have to travel considerable distances for appointments and treatment,” Mr Bull said.
“We recently had one patient in Maffra with a broken hip who had to wait 12 months for the surgery he needed to ease his agony.
“While we must continue investing in our public hospitals and their workforce, it also makes sense to use available capacity in the private system to reduce these waiting lists.
“If a private hospital has the facilities, surgeons and capacity to undertake a procedure sooner, there is a strong argument for making that option available to public patients at no cost.
“Queensland has already demonstrated through its Surgery Connect program how public-private partnerships can be used to reduce surgical waiting lists,” Mr Bull said.
Caption: The Nationals’ Gippsland East candidate, Gemma Rendell with Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crosier, at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.
