Victoria's doctors, nurses and surgical teams delivered the most planned surgeries on record - marking the second consecutive record-breaking year across the state's public hospitals - as the Allan Labor Government continues to deliver new initiatives to help more Victorians get the surgery they need, faster.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today met with dedicated healthcare workers at Monash Health - who along with thousands of healthcare workers across the state - helped deliver a record more than 212,000 surgeries.
Monash Health delivered almost 30,000 planned surgeries in the past year, with their strong performance supported by the Integrated Perioperative Care Centre - which streamlines complex and high-risk procedures -taking pressure off the main hospital theatres and improving patient outcomes.
A record-breaking 58,264 patients received planned surgery in the last quarter - a 13 per cent rise compared to pre-pandemic levels - with the overall waitlist down 3.7 per cent since last quarter.
This quarter, all Category 1 patients continued to be treated within the recommended time, and median wait times for Category 2 and 3 patients improved by five and 25 days, respectively, from the same quarter last year.
The Labor Government is continuing to reform how surgery is delivered in Victoria - ensuring more patients receive the care they need, faster.
The Planned Surgery Blueprint has guided this reform - shortening wait times, expanding non-surgical alternatives, preparing patients for faster recovery, increasing same day surgeries and boosting capacity through dedicated health infrastructure like Rapid Access Hubs and Public Surgical Centres.
To further support regional patients, the Labor Government is also establishing an additional five new Patient Support Units (PSUs) - helping patients navigate the surgery process by coordinating care, exploring alternative treatment pathways, and keeping patients informed throughout their journey.
These will be established at Central Highlands Rural Health, Mildura Base Public Hospital, Echuca Regional Health, Colac Area Health and Bass Coast Health - bringing the total number of PSUs to 28 statewide.
Victoria's emergency departments faced record demand last quarter, with more than 513,200 presentations, and despite this, treatment times improved.
Victoria's hardworking paramedics continue to face significant winter demand, responding to more than 98,000 lights and sirens cases, averaging almost 1,100 cases every day.
Improvements have been backed by the Labor Government's new Standards for Safe and Timely Ambulance and Emergency Care to deliver faster care, support staff in busy emergency departments, and get paramedics back on the road sooner.
Since launching in February this year, the standards have saved the equivalent of 940 days of wait time and freed up more than 4,000 paramedic shifts, while 70 per cent of ambulance transfers were completed within 40 minutes.
The Labor Government's Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinics are also continuing to help ease pressure, helping Victorians access the care they need while avoiding a trip to the emergency.
As stated by Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas
"We're transforming how we deliver surgery - helping a record number of Victorians get the care they need, faster."
"Despite record winter demand, our dedicated healthcare workers continue to deliver world-class care - but we know there is more to do."
"That's why we are making additional investments and delivering reforms, including our new ambulance and emergency care standards, which are already helping deliver that care even sooner."
As stated by Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos
"Monash Health has really led the reform to planned surgery in Victoria, and it is fantastic to see the improvements which are benefiting locals across our south eastern suburbs."
