Sunshine Hospital will have the chance to keep trimming its elective surgery waiting list thanks to a second round of extra funding.
As reported by Star Weekly, the hospital’s waiting list fell from 2130 people at the end of 2012-13 to 1610 by the end of 2013-14, thanks in part to an additional $5.69 million from the state Health Department.
The hospital also met the state government’s admission timeframes for category one, two and three elective surgery patients in 2013-14.
Further reduction of the queues could be made, with the government offering $45.4 million for Victorian hospitals to deliver more elective surgery procedures this financial year.
Health Department spokesman Ashley Gardiner said the government would negotiate with individual hospitals and health services before allocating the money.
Western Health executive director of operations Russell Harrison confirmed Sunshine Hospital would get extra funding for elective surgery.
“Western Health has been notified that additional funding for elective surgery will continue during 2014-15,’’ Mr Harrison said.
‘‘It’s anticipated that the elective surgery waiting list will remain controlled at the current level.’’
Mr Harrison said 437 more patients received surgery in 2013-14 than in the previous 12 months. “This included children requiring ear, nose and throat surgery and adults requiring urology procedures.’’
As reported by Star Weekly,Western Health, which oversees the Sunshine, Western and Williamstown hospitals, will receive $520.1 million from the state government this financial year – up $32.38 million from 2012-13.
