The State Government must explain why regional patients are waiting many months for surgery, without any indication of when their operation will take place, the Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said today.
Ms Broad told Parliament she was contacted by a constituent who had been referred to the specialist clinics at the Bendigo Health Care Group for some general surgery last November.
“On December 8, he was notified that his case had been reviewed and he had been placed on a waiting list. He was told the wait could be up to 12 months, or in some cases ‘even longer’,” Ms Broad said.
“His condition is not life threatening at the moment, but he is in a great deal of discomfort and would like some certainty as to when his surgery may take place.
“He has rung the clinic a couple of times, only to be told that he is on the waiting list and it may take some time. He believes the inference is that he could be waiting for two to three years.”
Ms Broad said he was understandably sceptical.
“Some years ago, his doctor had referred him for another operation which was recommended to be completed within 12 months. He waited 18 months for the surgery.”
Ms Broad asked the Minister for Health to explain why the waiting lists are so long and why patients cannot receive clarity on when their operation will take place.
“Higher costs, delays and longer wait times for essential care are the real-world consequences of Labor’s mismanagement of our health system,” Ms Broad said.
“Under Labor too many regional Victorians are struggling to get the care they deserve.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au