No. 10 
More elective surgery operations funded through 2010-11 Budget

The 2010-11 ACT Budget provides an additional $14.7 million in funding over the next four years to perform 800 more elective surgery operations in the 2010-11 financial year, above the target achieved in 2009-10.

“This initiative builds on the $67 million already provided by this Government over the past seven years to increase access to elective surgery,” ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, said today. 

“This has enabled record levels of access to surgery and a significant reduction in the number of people waiting too long for care,” she said.

“Although this increased investment has had a positive impact on the number of people waiting too long for surgery, demand is expected to double over the next decade which necessitates continued additional investment to meet emerging demand.

“Without this additional funding it would be difficult to meet growing demand for emergency surgery while still continuing to reduce the number of people waiting too long for surgery.

“Although 95 per cent of urgent category one patients are treated within the standard timeframe (30 days), we are working to improve waiting times for less urgent patients.

“Despite the increase in access to elective surgery over recent years, the number of people on the list continues to grow so additional investments are needed to keep pace.

“The Government will be examining opportunities within the private sector to assist in delivering the increased number of procedures.

“The Government has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improving access to elective surgery, delivering record levels of surgery each year and making great inroads into reducing the number of people waiting longer than a year.

“We will continue to invest in health as a priority and are committed to delivering the best possible health care for the people of Canberra.”

A portion of the additional elective surgery is being funded by the Commonwealth Government following the historic health reforms agreed at the Council of Australian Governments in April.

4 May 2010	 
Media Contact: 	Kathryn Roberts   	6205 0242(w)   0402 399 907(m)
	kathryn.roberts@act.gov.au