The Hodgman Liberal Government’s One Health reforms are on track, with the Mersey dedicated elective surgery centre helping patients get their operations sooner.
The centre had a running start in 2015-16, with more elective surgeries performed than any previous year, which saw the waiting list reduced by almost a third.
This success continues and as of October 2016, more than 1500 patients had received an elective surgery or procedure at the Mersey this financial year.
In total more than 100 Tasmanians living in the North and South of the state travelled to the Mersey for surgery or a procedure.
The elective surgery waiting list remains at an historic low and the number of people waiting too long for surgery has now fallen by more than 80 per cent since July 2015.
Documents released under Right to Information today show older data to the end of September 2016, for elective surgeries only.
This excludes a range of other procedures, including endoscopies and dental work.
The Mersey is a critical part of our long term plan to create a better health system for all Tasmanians.
By making the Mersey a dedicated elective surgery centre we are helping patients get their surgery sooner and freeing up beds in other parts of the state.
We are investing $24 million in patient transport and accommodation, and the government recently established the first ever subsidised bus service linking the Mersey with the North West Regional Hospital. This will soon be extended to include the Launceston General Hospital.
The Hodgman Government is committed to shorter waiting lists and better care for Tasmanians and the Mersey plays a key role in this as Tasmania’s dedicated elective surgery centre.
