The Rockliff Liberal Government’s long-term plan is continuing to deliver reductions in elective surgery and outpatient waiting times, providing an improved health service to Tasmanians.
The latest Dashboard shows the elective surgery waiting list has fallen by 10.5 per cent in the last 12 months, dropping from 8,627 in September 2022 to 7,721 in September 2023.
Tasmanians are also receiving their procedures sooner, with the proportion of people seen within clinically recommended time periods increasing from 62 to 69 per cent over the same period.
Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, said the Rockliff Liberal Government’s $196.4 million Elective Surgery Four-Year Plan 2021-2025 is delivering results for Tasmanians.
“Our clinician-led elective surgery plan continues to work, with the number of people waiting for surgery, and the length of time they’re waiting, both falling significantly in the last 12 months”, Minister Barnett said.
“I would like to thank our incredible doctors, nurses and health professionals for their hard-work in delivering this plan and helping more Tasmanians get the care they need.”
The September Health Dashboard also provides an update on the outpatient waiting list and performance of Tasmania’s hospital emergency departments (ED).
Both are areas where improvement is needed, with the dashboard showing signs of positive progress.
The outpatient waiting list also fell by almost 700 patients last month compared to August 2023, continuing a steady downward trend over recent months.
“We anticipate future improvements as our Government’s Outpatient Transformation Strategy continues to be implemented and its benefits are realised.”
Tasmanians are also being seen sooner, with 57 per cent of attendances seen within the clinically recommended time in September 2023, up from 48 per cent in August 2023 and the highest level since December 2022.
“We know our EDs continue to face high demand, with over 5,600 Category 4 and Category 5 presentations in September 2023, equating to almost 40 per cent of all presentations.
“This indicates a less urgent health need that may be more appropriately treated through another service, and I continue to encourage Tasmanians to make use of one of the great alternative primary health care options available to them where appropriate.”There are a number of options available to Tasmanians who need healthcare but don’t require the ED, including:
- Attending one of our recently opened Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs), which provide treatment for those with an urgent, but not life-threatening, need for care. Now open at Launceston Medical Centre, 247 Wellington St, Launceston – from 2pm-8pm, seven days a week, and at Your Hobart Doctor, 71 Bathurst St, Hobart – from 4pm-10pm, seven days a week.
- Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to get expert health advice from a Registered Nurse 24/7. They can provide guidance on whether to manage your condition at home, speak with your GP or visit an emergency department.
