AMA (NSW) says that reported waiting times for surgery are only half the story
Following the release of the Federal AMA Public Hospital Report Card today, AMA (NSW) is calling for a commitment from both the State and Federal Governments to measure the real waiting times for elective surgery.
AMA (NSW) Councillor, A/Prof Brian Owler, says, “Currently, reported elective surgery waiting times don’t measure the actual time that patients wait for surgery.
“The clock only starts once a patient sees a surgeon for an assessment of the need for surgery and stops once the surgery is complete.
“In reality, the patient may have been waiting a long time for the initial assessment by the surgeon.”
“AMA (NSW) is right behind the NSW Government in its current commitment to make waiting lists more transparent by measuring the time taken to see the surgeon for assessment – even though it will in all likelihood significantly increase the reported waiting times.
“For this to happen, we need the Commonwealth Government on board too,” A/Prof Owler said.
“The Expert Panel to COAG reviewing elective surgery and emergency access targets under the National Partnership Agreement made the recommendation that the reported waiting time for elective surgery should start when the GP makes the referral to the surgeon.
“Achieving this goal would give a much better picture of how well the health system is travelling and a much more accurate picture of what patients actually experience, even though reported waiting times would increase,” A/Prof Owler said.
Media contacts:
Elyse Cain (02) 9902 8138 / 0419 402 955
Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955
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