eSurgery

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/hospital-waiting-list-pain-to-get-worse/story-fn7x8me2-1226237797257
4800+ patients added to the hospital waiting lists in those hospitals where records being kept (not including smaller country hospitals – eg Kilmore, Seymour)
9500 less surgery being done
And this is despite $13 billion being spent on health last year in Victoria

With the ageing population, the demand for surgery will only get worse.

One needs to look at how theatre efficiencies can be increased.

I would propose that one small step to the solution could be to look if an additional case can be done in each public hospital theatre each day. This would help reduce the numbers on the waiting lists. This would require flexibility on the part of the booking office, day ward, patients, medical staff, nursing staff and admin. But this can be done. There is usually enough spare time during a day’s operating list where the theatre is used to fit in a short case – eg carpal tunnel, skin cancer, gastroscopy, colonoscopy and even a simple hernia repair. All that is needed is a common desire to reduce the waiting lists as much as possible. Without fear that this will mean the budget to the hospital will be cut the next year etc