Cook Government's major investment boost for elective surgeries

• Major investment equivalent to 6,000 additional elective surgeries and procedures for Western Australians
• Mid-Year Review provides $40 million to reduce elective surgery waitlists
• Significant boost part of the Cook Government's suite of system-wide reform that has reduced elective surgery waitlists by 8,600 patients

The Cook Government will provide $40 million for WA Health to deliver the equivalent of 6,000 additional elective surgeries and procedures, allowing hospitals to continue to make inroads into the elective surgery waitlist at an unprecedented rate.

Significant system-wide reform over the past two years has enabled the surge in elective surgery to take place, with the WA public health system smashing all-time records for elective surgery in three out of the past six months.

This achievement has resulted in 8,600 fewer patients on the elective surgeries waitlist.

To continue to build on this, the Cook Government has today announced the $40 million in additional funding for 2023-24 will be made available through the Mid-Year Review.

This will ensure hospitals are well placed to continue reducing elective surgery waiting lists through innovative strategies such as weekend theatre utilisation, twilight procedures, and use of contemporary methods that reduce the time patients need to spend in hospital.

The increase in the number of elective surgeries being performed at WA's public hospitals is underpinned by the Cook Government's $489.9 million investment in addressing ambulance ramping, which has allowed hospitals to increase elective surgery admissions while also reducing bed blockage.

Part of the system reform includes extra weekend services and more step-down care options to support older Western Australians transition from hospitals and back into the community.

The Cook Government has also delivered an additional 571 beds since the 2021‑22 Budget, the equivalent of a new tertiary hospital and employed additional staff, including more than 1,000 nurses since June last year and medical staff has been increased by more than 600.

The State Government will also roll out new arrangements from early next year to facilitate better utilisation of private hospital capacity, with a new panel to make it simpler, faster, and more competitive.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"The $40 million boost will mean thousands more Western Australians can be scheduled for surgery in the next 6 months.

"We have proactively identified and are tackling inefficiencies across the health system. We won't leave a stone unturned when it comes to strengthening our health system and helping patients with the care they need.

"With our record investment in hospitals and new policies and initiatives in place over recent years, we are seeing positive results as we emerge beyond the pandemic - especially in ramping and elective surgeries. 

"There is still a lot of work to do, but with the right funding and reform initiatives we can make sure that WA continues to have the best hospital services in Australia.

"My Government is committed to ensuring equitable access to top quality healthcare no matter where you live."

Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"I thank all our hard-working healthcare workers who ensure Western Australians can access world class surgery when they need it.

"Our $489.9 million emergency care package to improve access to care and system-wide reform has reduced ramping hours, and enabled beds to be freed up so that we can undertake these additional 6,000 elective surgeries and procedures.

"I commend the health services providers for their efforts in reducing elective surgery waitlists and this investment will enable hospitals to undertake even more surgeries."