Dr Peter Bristow
November 26, 2014
The State Government this week announced a “Wait Time Guarantee” to cut waiting times for elective surgery, but the local Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service says it was well on the way to achieving the target anyway.
From February 1, the “Wait Time Guarantee” will ensure all eligible patients who are ready for elective surgery will have their procedure within the medically recommended time.
DDHHS Chief Executive Dr Peter Bristow said there had been a strong focus on reducing elective surgery waiting lists in the region and the number of patients waiting longer than clinically recommended was on track to reach zero by the end of the year.
“Our Board has had a very deliberate strategy to cut through the waiting lists and has funded extra staff to schedule more theatre operating time, including weekend surgery sessions,” Dr Bristow said.
“In March 2012 there were 319 patients waiting longer than clinically recommended. By September this year we had reduced that to just two patients.
“The Wait Time Guarantee will ensure we do not lose sight of the fact we are providing a service for our patients.”
In the September quarter of this year, there were 1345 patients on the Darling Downs elective surgery waiting list.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said waiting times were one of the biggest issues for the local community.
“This is a fundamental change for local residents – as they will no longer be just a number in the queue for surgery,” she said.
“Importantly, if the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service cannot provide surgery within this time, then patients will be offered the next available appointment in a public or private hospital at no cost,” she said.
“This surgery will be arranged by the original hospital, and patients will not have to pay for any travel or accommodation costs if they are treated more than 50km from their original hospital.
“Under Labor nearly 1 in 5 Queensland patients – 17 per cent – waited too long for their surgery. We expect to have this at 0 per cent by the end of the year – and the LNP’s Guarantee will keep it at 0 per cent.”
From February 1, all eligible elective surgery will be carried out within the following nationally defined times:
- Urgent (Category 1): Surgery recommended within 30 days of being added to the wait list, as the condition could get worse and become an emergency
- Semi-urgent (Category 2): Surgery recommended within 90 days of being added to the wait list, as the condition is causing pain or disability but is unlikely to become an emergency
- Non-urgent (Category 3): Surgery recommended within 365 days of being added to the wait list, as the condition is causing minimal pain or disability.
Patients who are currently on Queensland Health’s elective surgery wait list will receive a letter soon explaining how the guarantee works.
Patients may need to travel to have surgery. If this occurs within the medically recommended time, then the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme will apply.
If the patient has not received surgery within the medically recommended time and needs to travel more than 50km from their original hospital, the full cost of travel and accommodation will be paid. An approved escort may also be eligible to travel with them. The travel and accommodation must be organised through the patient’s original public hospital.
