Patients could be sent to have elective surgery at regional hospitals as part of waitlist fix

A plan to tackle surgery waiting list backlogs has suggested transferring patients from the Melbourne’s outer suburbs to regional hospitals.

One suggestion was to send patients to regional hospitals to alleviate pressure from selected metropolitan hospitals. iStock

Sending outer suburb patients to regional hospitals, centralising administration and renaming waitlists as preparation lists are among the reforms to fix the state’s ailing health system and tackle the backlog of patients waiting for surgery, according to a new blueprint.

The reform guide released by the Victorian Department of Health on Wednesday put forward a raft of changes to “improve planned surgery in Victoria”.

One approach was to “develop and implement regionalised planned surgery” to alleviate pressure from selected metropolitan hospitals.

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Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas. Picture: David Crosling

It also called for health experts to implement more “evidence-based alternatives to surgery”, better communication between health services and to focus on retaining burnt out healthcare workers

In the report, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas wrote: “While the shockwaves of the pandemic are still being felt, an opportunity for reform has emerged from this significant and ongoing challenge.

“These reforms will improve patient experiences and outcomes, uplift and support our planned surgery workforce, enhance system efficiencies, and strengthen system stewardship and collaboration.”