Tasmania’s elective surgery waitlist has reduced by an incredible 35 per cent since January 2021 as the Rockliff Liberal Government works to drive the wait list down through its $196.4 million Statewide Elective Surgery Plan.
This decrease demonstrates our government’s long-term plan to drive our waitlists down to a sustainable level is working and more Tasmanians are receiving their elective surgeries sooner.
Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, said the latest Health Dashboard shows the wait list has now fallen to 7,925.
“These incredible results are a testament to our hardworking health staff. They are doing an outstanding job under challenging circumstances, and I thank them for the work they are doing,” Minister Barnett said.
Tasmania has also exceeded its 12-month admissions target with more than 21,300 patients admitted for procedures, recording the highest level of surgeries delivered in our state’s history.
We also delivered more surgeries per capita than any other state or territory in 2021-22.
The percentage of patients being seen on time has increased another 4 per cent, with 66 per cent of Tasmanians not waiting beyond clinically recommended times. The median wait time has also dropped another 7 days, with the average time Tasmanians wait for a surgery sitting at 48 days.
Minister Barnett said this 35 per cent decrease is further proof that our clinician-led and patient-focused $196.4 million Statewide Elective Surgery Four Year Plan is working.
“Reducing the elective surgery wait list, and the outpatient wait list is a key priority for our Government which is why we are investing a record $12.1 billion over the next four years,” Minister Barnett said.
“We are investing more than $8 million each and every day into health, which shows just how committed we are to delivering our long-term plan and improving health outcomes for all Tasmanians.
“Our Government is backing in our policies with record funding which is delivering real results. In contrast, Labor claims their health thought bubbles would ‘pay for themselves’ which is fantasy and Tasmanians know it. They simply cannot deliver – unless they sack staff or slug Tasmanians with higher taxes.
“I look forward to seeing further improvements so that more Tasmanians can receive the care they need sooner.”
