Private hospitals will resume day surgeries and surgery requiring a single night stay from Wednesday March 23, 2022 after WA Health reviewed the pause on performing certain surgeries to assist with the COVID-19 response.
The Chief Health Officer has determined that day and single night stay Category 3 and non-urgent Category 2 surgeries can restart at private hospitals, as Western Australia’s world-leading vaccination rates keep hospitalisations down.
Surge capacity remains in private hospitals to be rapidly deployed if required. These arrangements have been agreed with and supported by the private hospital chief executives.
Patients will be advised by their treating private hospital or specialist if they will be booked in for surgery.
There is no change to bookings at public hospitals at this stage.
As previously outlined, the surgery schedule is being continuously reviewed based on Omicron COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalisation, and advice from the Chief Health Officer.
The eight-week scale down on elective surgeries started from March 14 at WA public hospitals and March 21 for private hospitals to safeguard capacity in the event of significant staff furlough pressures.
There is no change to Category 1 bookings and the surgery schedule for these will continue as usual.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Omicron cases continue to rise week on week, but thanks to our strong pandemic management, the increase has been slower than expected.
“That means there is scope to allow private hospitals to resume short-stay elective surgeries.
“We have taken an agile and planned approach to elective surgery, and will ensure some patients who require surgery can be treated as we continue to review these settings.
“I’d like to thank patients for their understanding and all our healthcare staff for their hard work and commitment.”
