Wait times grow as patients face delays and hidden queues in healthcare
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Navigating the healthcare system can be daunting, especially when it comes to elective surgeries.
For many Australians, particularly those in their golden years, the wait for surgery can be a period filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
This is compounded when the waitlist seems to be a moving target, as has been the case in Victoria, where the planned surgery waitlist has significantly increased.
In the past six months alone, Victoria's planned surgery waitlist grew by more than 9 per cent, a troubling statistic for those awaiting procedures.
This rise in numbers has sparked concerns over what has been termed a 'hidden' queue—a backlog of patients referred for surgery but have not yet been placed on any official waitlist.
The plight of 79-year-old Brian Mier, who has been waiting for the removal of benign lipomas on his forearm and shoulder, illustrates the challenges faced by many.
'When I wear short sleeves, it is very obvious,' he said.
'I'm sure other people don't ask but have a bit of concern, as with so many health things these days, because we don't want to catch them—but this certainly isn't contagious.'
Despite receiving confirmation of his referral for surgery at Melbourne's Eastern Health in January 2023, it took nearly two years for him even to get a consult appointment.
And while he was eventually placed on the planned surgery waitlist, the actual date for his procedure remained elusive.
The frustration of patients like Mr Mier is evident.
'The system ought to be better than that,' he said, echoing the sentiment of many who find themselves in similar situations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been cited as a contributing factor to the increased waiting times, with health services like Eastern Health acknowledging the impact it has had on their ability to meet desired waiting times.
But the issue extends beyond individual cases. Victoria's surgery waitlist is part of a more significant national concern, with states like New South Wales and Queensland also reporting substantial jumps in their elective surgery queues.
This has led to calls for a more transparent and efficient system in which patients and medical professionals can better understand wait times and available options.
Surgeon Neela Janakiramanan has highlighted the current system's inefficiency and suggested that better information sharing could lead to more effective patient placement.
'The surgical waiting list doesn't reflect the number of people with a surgical condition who require surgery—it reflects the number of people who have somehow gotten themselves onto a surgical waiting list,' she said.
In Queensland, for example, GPs can check wait times at various surgeries across the state, allowing them to refer patients to centres with shorter queues.
'I do feel strongly that any discussion about elective surgery waiting lists has to include those hidden patients,' she added.
In response to these concerns, Victoria's chief surgical advisor, Ben Thompson, has acknowledged the challenge and is working on a project to boost the visibility of planned surgery waiting lists.
The goal is to provide insights into the hidden waitlist, allow better patient placement, and ultimately, shorten wait times.
The Victorian government has also been criticised for missing its target of 240,000 planned surgeries in 2023/24.
'Victoria is leading the nation in delivering the most urgent surgeries faster, thanks to our significant investment and reform to ensure people get the care they need,' a Victorian spokesperson said.
Still, it has pointed to a record high of 209,925 surgeries performed and a $1.5 billion investment to support hospitals and surgeries as evidence of its commitment to addressing the issue.
For Mr Mier and countless others, the promise of a more efficient system can't come soon enough.
After a long wait, he has finally received a slot for surgery in early May, a development that came about shortly after media inquiries into his case.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's essential to stay informed about the state of healthcare and to advocate for improvements that will benefit us all.
If you or someone you know is facing a long wait for surgery, it's crucial to stay in contact with your healthcare provider for updates and to explore all available options.
Have you experienced elective surgery delays, or are you concerned about being on a 'hidden' waitlist? Share your stories and thoughts with us in the comments below. Your experiences can help shed light on this issue and push for the necessary changes to ensure timely healthcare access for all Australians.
For many Australians, particularly those in their golden years, the wait for surgery can be a period filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
This is compounded when the waitlist seems to be a moving target, as has been the case in Victoria, where the planned surgery waitlist has significantly increased.
In the past six months alone, Victoria's planned surgery waitlist grew by more than 9 per cent, a troubling statistic for those awaiting procedures.
This rise in numbers has sparked concerns over what has been termed a 'hidden' queue—a backlog of patients referred for surgery but have not yet been placed on any official waitlist.
The plight of 79-year-old Brian Mier, who has been waiting for the removal of benign lipomas on his forearm and shoulder, illustrates the challenges faced by many.
Victoria's planned surgery waitlist has grown by over 9 per cent in six months, raising concerns about queue management. Credit: Peter Horrox / iStock
'When I wear short sleeves, it is very obvious,' he said.
'I'm sure other people don't ask but have a bit of concern, as with so many health things these days, because we don't want to catch them—but this certainly isn't contagious.'
Despite receiving confirmation of his referral for surgery at Melbourne's Eastern Health in January 2023, it took nearly two years for him even to get a consult appointment.
And while he was eventually placed on the planned surgery waitlist, the actual date for his procedure remained elusive.
The frustration of patients like Mr Mier is evident.
'The system ought to be better than that,' he said, echoing the sentiment of many who find themselves in similar situations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been cited as a contributing factor to the increased waiting times, with health services like Eastern Health acknowledging the impact it has had on their ability to meet desired waiting times.
But the issue extends beyond individual cases. Victoria's surgery waitlist is part of a more significant national concern, with states like New South Wales and Queensland also reporting substantial jumps in their elective surgery queues.
This has led to calls for a more transparent and efficient system in which patients and medical professionals can better understand wait times and available options.
Surgeon Neela Janakiramanan has highlighted the current system's inefficiency and suggested that better information sharing could lead to more effective patient placement.
'The surgical waiting list doesn't reflect the number of people with a surgical condition who require surgery—it reflects the number of people who have somehow gotten themselves onto a surgical waiting list,' she said.
In Queensland, for example, GPs can check wait times at various surgeries across the state, allowing them to refer patients to centres with shorter queues.
'I do feel strongly that any discussion about elective surgery waiting lists has to include those hidden patients,' she added.
In response to these concerns, Victoria's chief surgical advisor, Ben Thompson, has acknowledged the challenge and is working on a project to boost the visibility of planned surgery waiting lists.
The goal is to provide insights into the hidden waitlist, allow better patient placement, and ultimately, shorten wait times.
The Victorian government has also been criticised for missing its target of 240,000 planned surgeries in 2023/24.
'Victoria is leading the nation in delivering the most urgent surgeries faster, thanks to our significant investment and reform to ensure people get the care they need,' a Victorian spokesperson said.
Still, it has pointed to a record high of 209,925 surgeries performed and a $1.5 billion investment to support hospitals and surgeries as evidence of its commitment to addressing the issue.
For Mr Mier and countless others, the promise of a more efficient system can't come soon enough.
After a long wait, he has finally received a slot for surgery in early May, a development that came about shortly after media inquiries into his case.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's essential to stay informed about the state of healthcare and to advocate for improvements that will benefit us all.
If you or someone you know is facing a long wait for surgery, it's crucial to stay in contact with your healthcare provider for updates and to explore all available options.
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