Victorian children are facing lengthy delays for essential surgery as more than 890 children were added to the Royal Children’s Hospital’s surgery waitlist in the past year.
Victorian Agency for Health Information figures show that children overdue for treatment are on average waiting more than eight months for Category 2 procedures that should have been completed within 90 days.
Over 60 per cent of children are waiting more than the clinically recommended time for Category 2 procedures.
Any unnecessary delay can have a detrimental impact on the learning and development of children, and every day patients are kept waiting for treatment is another day of ongoing anxiety.
Students are missing out on classes, camps and sport while waiting for surgery to treat common problems such as tonsilitis.
This follows data that revealed one in four patients are not being treated within the clinically recommended time and that a record 10.2 per cent of all patients are waiting more than a year for vital surgery.
The Andrews Labor Government can’t continue to blame the pandemic for the crisis in our health system. Workforce challenges have been known for years, and the government has failed to act.
Fixing this crisis must be a priority and the Liberals and Nationals will work constructively with the State Government to ensure all Victorians can access the timely and quality healthcare they deserve.
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said children were missing out on important events because of a lagging health system.
“Sadly, lengthy wait times for essential surgery are an all too familiar scene in the Victorian health system,” Ms Crozier said.
“The Andrews Labor Government has been too slow to act, and now world-class facilities such as the Royal Children’s Hospital are feeling the brunt.”
“It is essential that Victorian children get the surgery they need, when they need it. The consequences are too great to risk.”
