Patients suffer as the number of surgeries cancelled grows to 377 with more possibly to come

Hundreds of surgical procedures at the Austin Hospital have been cancelled as a result of sterilisation machine failures and more could be on its way. However, the Health Minister has lashed out at suggestions a lack of funding is behind the issue.

Surgeries cancelled due to equipment malfunction. Picture: Jay Town

The number of surgeries cancelled as a result of the Austin Hospital sterilisation machine failures has climbed to 377 and could continue to grow, according to the latest update.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos revealed the equipment failures had impacted hundreds of patients, but said other hospitals were stepping in to help clean equipment and carry out extra surgeries.

The latest toll comes as five of the seven contaminated machines are now back online. However, after praising staff for their quick action in identifying the problem, Ms Mikakos placed blame at the feet of the hospital saying they had the necessary funds to replace the machines.

Surgery at the Austin Picture: Jay Town

“The Austin Hospital has received $30 million for equipment upgrades since we have been in office,” Ms Mikakos said.

“They do receive funding every year. It is untied. They determine for themselves what these respective priorities are and what equipment they wish to purchase.

“These machines cost $200,000, you don’t need $90 million to go purchase one of these machines.

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

“It was certainly open to the Austin to have replaced this equipment if they chose.”

Ms Mikakos said the funding would be looked at as part of the investigation currently being carried out by Safer Care Victoria and said things should return to normal this week.

MORE NEWS:

INSIDE VICTORIA'S DROUGHT CRISIS REALITY

TAXI TOLL OVERHAUL TO RESULT IN FAIRER FARES

‘TOTAL SHOCK’ AS TWO DEAD IN NUNAWADING

However, Opposition leader Michael O’Brien disagreed saying the government was to blame after the department had knocked back a bid for the machines to be replaced in the past year.

Mr O’Brien said it was shocking that the hospital was forced to use machines “past their use by date”.

“It is extraordinary because of budget cuts from Daniel Andrews the Austin is now not performing surgery on people who desperately need it.

“These are machines that should have been retired two years ago, yet they are still being used and this is where the problem arose.”

[e-mail]