New stats show a record number of public hospital admissions for elective surgeries in 2023-24. 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has reported a total of 771,600 patients were treated - a 5 per cent increase from 735,500 in the previous year. 

This surge is a return to pre-pandemic levels, following years of disruptions to the healthcare system due to COVID-19.  

The AIHW says the increased capacity was achieved despite the long-standing challenges posed by the pandemic.

While private hospitals continue to perform the majority of elective surgeries, the public system demonstrated significant improvements. 

Cataract extractions were the most common procedure, making up 11 per cent of all cases. 

General surgeries accounted for 20 per cent of total surgeries, with vascular and paediatric surgeries showing the most pronounced growth - 12 per cent and 8.2 per cent annually, respectively, over five years.  

Waiting periods for elective surgeries have also improved. 

Half of all patients were treated within 46 days in 2023-24, compared to 49 days the previous year. 

Additionally, 90 per cent of patients received treatment within 329 days, a reduction from 361 days in 2022-23. The proportion of patients waiting over a year decreased from 9.6 per cent to 6.4 per cent.  

The Australian Capital Territory led state-by-state data with a 19 per cent increase in admissions, followed by Victoria at 10 per cent. 

Over a longer term, Tasmania achieved the highest average annual increase of 10 per cent since 2019-20.  

In parallel, emergency department presentations increased slightly by 0.4 per cent to 8.83 million visits in 2023–24. 

Of these, 67 per cent of patients were seen within clinically recommended timeframes, up from 65 per cent the prior year. 

Nearly all patients requiring resuscitation were attended to immediately, while 67 per cent of emergency cases received prompt care.  

The data is available on the AIHW’s MyHospitals platform.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. CareerSpot News