Tasmanian elective surgery waiting lists hit new record high: ALP

Tasmania’s elective surgery waiting list has hit a new record, Labor claims – and the Health Minister is not denying it.

ELECTIVE surgery waiting lists have blown out to record levels at Tasmanian hospitals, Labor says.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White told Parliament there were now well over 10,000 Tasmanians waiting for surgery.

“Leaked figures reveal that at the end of October, there were 10,837 people waiting for surgery,” Ms White said.

“Can you confirm that this is the highest elective surgery waiting list on record?

“Your savage cuts to health [are] having a devastating impact on the delivery of services. You have instructed hospitals to cut elective surgery activity by 15 per cent. Patients are now feeling the painful consequences of your heartless decision and languishing on waiting lists.”

Opposition Leader Rebecca White. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

All non-emergency surgery is considered elective. The most urgent cases are recommended ot be dealth with within 30 days.

HEALTH MINISTER TOLD TO PUT PEOPLE AHEAD OF SURPLUS

Ms White cited the example of a patient who was going to lose his hand because he could not receive timely care as an example of the human cost of the waiting list blowout.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Health Minister Sarah Courtney did not directly address the question.

“I absolutely, categorically refute the allegation or even a suggestion that this side of the chamber has not made significant investment into health — 32 per cent of our budget is invested in our health system, up from 25 per cent,” she said.

“The allegation that Ms White keeps pedalling is absolutely untrue.

“When the Hodgman Liberal Government was elected in 2014, Tasmania’s elective surgery performance was the worst in the nation.”