Budget cuts to extend elective surgery wait times

MedTech News: Elective surgery waiting times in South Australia are continuing to grow with more than 20,000 patients already queued for procedures.

Of those waiting, 2,500 procedures are already listed as overdue, an alarming 71% jump since October 2020, according to SA Labor.

“This massive increase in the last few months of overdue patients is simply unacceptable and it means that South Australians are waiting in pain for much longer,” said Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton. 

To make matters worse, the SA Doctors Union says the Royal Adelaide and Queen Elizabeth hospitals will have their budgets cut by 6% for elective surgeries next month, sparking concerns there will be even bigger delays as a result.

Health Minister Stephen Wade said the Parafield coronavirus cluster and Christmas holidays both had an impact on elective surgeries.

While the government is spending over $45 million to reduce overdue lists, the agonising wait is especially difficult for many patients in pain waiting for crucial surgery.