Patients across the Mid North Coast are benefitting from improved access to planned surgery, following the Minns Labor Government's $30 million investment to expand High Volume Short Stay surgical services across the state.
As part of this investment, short stay surgery models have been established at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Kempsey District Hospital, Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Wauchope District Memorial Hospital.
The funding has enabled the Mid North Coast Local Health District to upgrade and invest in surgical equipment to support several specialities including orthopaedics, ENT, and urology.
Preoperative orthopaedic care has also been enhanced across the region through investment in physiotherapy services, including the Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Program, which is supporting patients to manage their condition, improve function, and access surgery in a timely manner.
The expansion of services across the region as a result of the $30 million program is expected to deliver an estimated 200 surgeries by 1 July 2027, helping to reduce the surgery backlog and improve patient care.
High Volume Short Stay surgeries are planned procedures where patients are admitted for up to 72 hours.
Statewide, the number of overdue surgeries peaked at more than 18,000 under the Liberals. Since being elected, the Minns Labor Government has reduced the number of people waiting longer than clinically recommended from 14,059 in March 2023 to 3,955 in March 2026.
The $30 million one-off injection builds on the $200 million invested since 2024 to reduce overdue surgeries, and the establishment of the state's first Surgery Hub at Northern Beaches Hospital, which has been active since 1 July and is expected to perform up to 5,000 additional surgeries per year.
The 2026-27 NSW Budget also included $10.3 billion to support increased capacity across the health system, including to deliver an estimated 2,900 additional planned surgeries.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"The Minns Labor Government has taken action to slash the overdue surgery waitlist left behind by the Coalition.
"This is a significant boost to surgery services in the Mid North Coast, that will help patients access care sooner, recover faster, and spend less time in the hospital.
"We are investing in surgery services across the state, expanding access to care, cutting wait times, and improving patient outcomes.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin:
"This $30 million investment is fantastic news for families and residents right across our region, giving people faster access to the care they need closer to home.
"Whether it's in Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, or Wauchope, expanding High Volume Short Stay surgical services means local patients spend less time on waiting lists and less time in hospital recovery beds.
"By investing in modern surgical equipment and supporting care we are making sure our regional health services deliver high-quality, timely care for the mid North Coast community.
