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Hidden waiting lists must be uncovered
14 October 2009.
The Victorian Government must reveal the full waiting times for elective surgery in Victorian public hospitals, AMA Victoria’s President Dr Harry Hemley said today, following the release of the AMA Public Hospital Report Card 2009.
The Report Card showed the performance of Victorian public hospitals was declining, with patient care being compromised by bed blocks and long waits for elective surgery.
“Our public hospitals are failing too many people,” Dr Hemley said. “Long waits can increase the risk of complications and lead to poorer outcomes.
“One of my biggest concerns is that we are still not seeing the full picture of elective surgery waits. The time patients initially wait to see a specialist is not currently recorded or reported by the government.
“Victorians needing surgery can be forced to wait years for an outpatient clinic appointment before they’re put on the elective surgery waiting list. During this time they will have a reduced quality of life. They may be in a lot of pain or experiencing disability.
“Patients deserve to know how long they’re expected to wait for their surgery. If a patient doesn’t know how long they have to wait, they can’t make informed decisions about their treatment options.”
Dr Hemley said the Brumby Government had been ignoring patients’ concerns and the advice of experts for too long.
In April, the Auditor General recommended the Victorian Government publish the public hospital outpatient clinic waiting times to accurately represent the waiting experience of many patients. The government said no.
In July, the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission’s report recommended all states begin publishing outpatient clinic waiting times and reduce the waits to two weeks (for a patient with life-threatening conditions) and three months (for non-urgent patients). The Victorian Government refused to act.
“The whole truth must be reported so patients can make informed decisions about their treatment. The Brumby Government must take responsibility for the problem and direct more resources into reducing the total time sick or injured Victorians wait for elective surgery,” Dr Hemley said.
Dr Hemley said reporting outpatient clinic waiting times was something the Victorian Government could begin immediately.
Victoria’s performance in the AMA Public Hospital Report Card 2009:
Emergency department performance – down.
· Only 68% of category 3 (urgent) emergency departments patients are seen within the recommended time – compared to 73% in 2006-07.
Percentage of category 2 elective surgery patients seen within 90 days – down by 5%.
· 70% of patients are seen within the recommended time - compared to 75% in 2006-07.
Elective surgery waiting time – longer.
· Median waiting time for elective surgery is 33 days – up from 30 days in 2006-07.
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