Page 1444 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 April 2019

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Median Wait Times in Each Speciality by Urgency Category as at 31 December 2018

Speciality Name

Triage Cat

Median wait time (days)

Neurosurgery

3

102

Ophthalmology

1

n/a

Ophthalmology

2

39

Ophthalmology

3

134

Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery

1

14

Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery

2

80

Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery

3

189

Orthopaedic Surgery

1

21

Orthopaedic Surgery

2

53.5

Orthopaedic Surgery

3

153

Oral Surgery

1

n/a

Oral Surgery

2

29

Oral Surgery

3

81

Paediatric Surgery

1

11

Paediatric Surgery

2

41

Paediatric Surgery

3

114.5

Plastic Surgery

1

18

Plastic Surgery

2

71

Plastic Surgery

3

265

Thoracic Surgery

1

8

Thoracic Surgery

2

n/a

Thoracic Surgery

3

n/a

Urology

1

15

Urology

2

29

Urology

3

64

Vascular

1

22

Vascular

2

35

Vascular

3

118

n/a = no patients waiting in this speciality at this urgency category as at 31/12/2018

(3) The main factor that contributes to wait times is overall demand. The ACT seen the highest growth in demand compared to any other jurisdiction (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report 2017-18). This increase in demand for surgical activity has consequently meant an increasing demand for surgical specialists and anaesthetists.

Workforce challenges locally and nationally also have an impact. Canberra Health Services and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce have mechanisms in place to attract and retain anaesthetists, however these agencies must also compete with the private sector, as well as other jurisdictions. Ear, Nose and Throat specialists are also an area of high demand, and these workforce challenges are being addressed through recruitment, attraction and retention strategies as much as possible.

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