Latest data shows that the Tasmanian Liberal Government's record investment in health is delivering real improvements with more Tasmanians receiving the health care they deserve, sooner.
The elective surgery wait list continues to fall and is now at its lowest level since 2017 as a result of our $196.4 million Statewide Elective Surgery Plan to drive down the waitlist to a sustainable level.
Tasmanians are also being seen sooner and spending less time on the waitlist, with the percentage of patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes improving on last month.
The outpatient waiting list has also continued to decrease and we expect to see further improvements as we progress the Outpatient Transformation Strategy.
Latest data also shows improvements in the number of Emergency Department patients seen on time, with the average waiting time also improving – and our Plan will further drive this figure up.
Of note, the dashboard continues to show that around 40 per cent of presentations to the ED were Category 4 or Category 5, which can indicate a less urgent presentation that may be addressed with a visit to a GP or pharmacy.
Premier and Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff, welcomed the improvements across the board and said it reflected the strong investments being made by the Tasmanian Liberal Government.
"I know that health care is a priority to Tasmanians, which is why we are investing more than 33 per cent of the total operating budget – or $7.25 million a day - to improve our health system and ensure Tasmania's receive their health care sooner," Premier Rockliff said.
"There is no doubt that our patient-focussed, clinician-led plan is having a positive effect on performance, and it is a phenomenal achievement.
"The 15.9 per cent reduction of the elective surgery waiting list demonstrates clearly that our $196.4 million Statewide Elective Surgery Plan is working, and more Tasmanians are getting their procedures sooner.
"These positive results across the health system are not an accident, and my thanks goes to every one of our hardworking clinicians and health care staff who turn up each and every day to care for Tasmanians.
"We are getting things done and I look forward to further improvements as we continue to work hard to ensure Tasmanians have the healthcare system they deserve."
