## Australians Face Longest Elective Surgery Wait Times on Record
The Australian Medical Association's (AMA) Public Hospital Report Card paints a concerning picture of the state of public healthcare in Australia. Elective surgery wait times have reached their longest on record, with Australians now waiting almost twice as long for planned surgery compared to 20 years ago.
The median wait time for planned surgery has climbed to 49 days, a significant increase from the 27 days recorded in 2003. This extended wait time is further compounded by a growing population outpacing the availability of hospital beds. Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, the Australian population grew by over a million, while only 1,220 new public hospital beds became available. This resulted in a decrease in public hospital capacity from 2.53 beds per 1,000 people to 2.47 beds per 1,000 people.
While emergency departments continue to see the most urgent cases within the recommended timeframes, less urgent cases are facing increasingly longer wait times. In 2022-23, only 56% of emergency presentations were completed within the recommended four-hour timeframe.
Despite these challenges, funding for public hospitals has continued to grow. The federal government spent $105.8 billion in the 2020-21 period, while states and local governments contributed $70 billion. However, the AMA argues that this funding is insufficient and calls for urgent action.
AMA president Professor Steve Robson emphasizes the need for immediate investment beyond existing reform plans. He acknowledges the recent federal government announcement of increased public funding for hospitals but stresses the need for further investment and agreement by all health ministers. Additionally, he highlights the urgency of action, as the new funding agreement will not come into effect until 2025.
The AMA is urging the federal and state governments to invest $4.12 billion in a national plan to address the growing backlog of planned surgeries until the new funding agreement is implemented. This call for action comes ahead of a crucial meeting of health ministers on Friday.