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Territorians wait more than a year for non-urgent surgery

Distressing figures show Territorians are waiting hundreds of days for non-elective surgeries – with one hospital recording a 113pc rise in wait times. But the Health Minister says improvements are being made. Full hospital wait times revealed.

Territorians are waiting more than 400 days for elective surgery. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Territorians are waiting more than 400 days for elective surgery. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Territorians are waiting more than a year to have non-urgent elective surgeries – an increase of 54 per cent since 2016.

Data revealed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed the median wait times for non-urgent elective surgeries had increased across four major Territory hospitals.

Royal Darwin Hospital’s wait times have spiked by a staggering 113 per cent for an average of wait time of 403 days.

Alice Springs Hospital had increased by 51 per cent – 148 days.

Palmerston Regional Hospital and Gove Hospital jumped to 386 and 327 days respectively.

Opposition health spokesperson Bill Yan slammed the figures.

“After a damaging seven-years in government, Territory Labor has allowed a distressing progression of worsening circumstances,” he said.

“The level of non-urgent elective surgeries conducted in the Territory has plummeted by a staggering 37 per cent.

Health Minister Selena Uibo said despite increasing wait times, there were positives in the report. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson
Health Minister Selena Uibo said despite increasing wait times, there were positives in the report. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“In stark contrast, the number of individuals undergoing non-urgent elective surgeries in Australia’s public hospitals has increased by 81.6 per cent during the same period.”

Mr Yan said Territorians would be forced to have their procedures completed interstate.

“This glaring discrepancy sheds light on the substantial challenges faced by NT hospitals, pushing more individuals to opt for interstate travel to seek non-urgent medical attention,” he said.

“It’s not OK for Territorians to think, ‘If in pain catch a plane’.”

Despite the findings, Health Minister Selena Uibo said there were positives in the report.

“We want people to have care at home – an extra 800 elective surgery procedures have been performed in 2023 compared to 2022,” she said.

“In 2022-23, the AIHW report identified shorter wait times for elective surgery patients in the NT compared to nationally.

“In the NT, 50 per cent of patients were admitted for elective surgery within 29 days compared to 49 days nationally.”

Ms Uibo said efforts were underway to ease the backlog of patients.

“NT Health is currently progressing surgical recovery plans to help manage the backlog of elective surgeries – this includes increasing operating theatre access, procuring additional surgical equipment and actively recruiting specialist staff,” she said.

“A range of allied health support services are available to patients on elective surgery waitlists including physiotherapy, social work and occupational therapy.”

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/territorians-wait-more-than-a-year-for-nonurgent-surgery/news-story/406471a4c42f956158fe4a6eb765460c