A BLOWOUT in Victoria’s elective surgery waiting lists has sparked a flare-up between nurses and the government, each blaming the other for the lengthening queue.
Nurses say funding cuts are behind the problem as the state government points the finger at cancellations caused by the nurses’ strike.
The Victorian Health Services Performance Report for the March quarter, released last week, showed 45,912 patients waiting for elective surgery – up from 40,071 a year earlier.
Footscray’s Western Hospital managed to reduce its waiting list but ANF Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said bed closures by the government were forcing the statewide list to grow.
“The last quarter’s figures show the reality of what it means when the government gives hospitals less money – patients miss out playing the Baillieu health lottery game.”
Health Minister David Davis sidestepped the lengthening waiting list by pointing out all hospitals were meeting the 30-day target for urgent elective surgery patients.
He said Footscray Western Hospital’s 352 urgent elective surgery patients were all treated within 30 days, at least half within 14 days.
The number of patients on Footscray’s elective surgery waiting list fell from 2074 at the end of March 2011 to 1344 at the end of March a year later.
Four in five non-urgent elective surgery patients received their operations within a year, up from 74 per cent in the previous quarter.
There were 11,105 admitted patients, up from 10,916 a year earlier.
Mr Davis said the report showed hospital emergency departments treated and admitted more patients over the past year.
Just over 85 per cent arriving at Western Hospital by ambulance were transferred within the 40-minute target.
The hospital was on bypass 2.4per cent of the time – below the target of 3per cent but more than twice the average of 1.1 per cent.
Western Health chief executive Kathryn Cook said the data showed improved performance by Western Health.
“I am also pleased to note our improved performance in response times at Sunshine, Western and Williamstown hospital emergency departments, despite the continuing high levels of demand.”
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said an extra 2664 people joined elective surgery hospital waiting lists in the first three months of the year.
“This just proves Victoria’s health system is getting worse, not better, under the Baillieu Government.”
Williamstown MP and shadow parliamentary secretary for health Wade Noonan said elective surgery waiting lists had blown out by 7746 since the change of government.
“When it comes to delivering better health services, Ted Baillieu and David Davis are failing Victorians.”
– Benjamin Millar
