Funding boost for Kimberley hospitals

1/11/99
Hospitals in the Kimberley will be performing extra surgery to help those waiting long term for elective surgery, thanks to a funding boost by the State Government.
Health Minister John Day said the funding of nearly $40,000 would enable additional ear, nose and throat surgery to be performed at the Derby and Broome hospitals in mid-November.
Mr Day said a total of 25 patients from Derby and Broome would have their operation performed locally, rather than taking place at a Perth teaching hospital.
"Being able to perform these types of operations locally highlights the Government's commitment to providing high quality health care to all Western Australians, regardless of where they live," he said.
"Eleven of these patients are children and it is far better for them to be treated in familiar surroundings where they feel comfortable and relaxed, around family and friends for support if necessary.
"Being treated locally also provides a major relief for families of patients by removing the added stress and expense of having to uproot family members to travel to Perth if required."
Meeting some of the patients at the Derby Hospital, Mr Day said the additional funding provided for a specialist doctor and some new equipment to perform the operations.
He said the funding for the additional elective surgery was provided through the Central Wait List Bureau (CWLB).
A State Government initiative, the CWLB gives those people on a hospital waiting list the opportunity to have an operation performed sooner, by arranging for it to be performed at a hospital with a shorter waiting time.
Mr Day said more than 4,000 people have had elective surgery performed sooner in the past 14 months through the CWLB.
Newly released figures by the CWLB have revealed that the waiting list for elective surgery in WA has fallen from nearly 15,472 in September last year to 11,632 - the lowest figure in nearly four years.
Mr Day said the general waiting period, or current clearance time, for elective surgery had also dropped from nearly five months last month to just over four months in October.
The CWLB also provides information to hospitals and doctors to assist them with selecting appropriate hospitals and surgeons for patients. The CWLB are available on a free call number 1800 654 807.
Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600