Northam Hospital to perform extra surgery thanks to $50,000 funding boost

9/12/99
Northam Hospital will be performing extra elective surgery this month to help those waiting long-term for eye and hearing surgery, thanks to a funding boost by the State Government.
Health Minister John Day said additional funding of nearly $50,000 would enable a total of 40 people from Northam to undergo elective surgery at the hospital. The surgery included cataract removal, general surgery and inserting grommets in children's ears.
Mr Day said the funding enabled these people to have their operations performed sooner locally, rather than taking place at a Perth teaching hospital late next year.
"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.
"It is far better to be treated in familiar surroundings where patients feel comfortable and relaxed, around family and friends for support, if necessary.
"Being treated locally also provides a major relief for family members of patients, as it removes the added stress and expense of having to uproot family members to travel to Perth, if required."
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.
Newly-released figures by the CWLB have revealed that the waiting list for elective surgery in WA has fallen from nearly 14,463 in November last year to 11,183 at the same time this year - the lowest figures since November 1995.
Mr Day said the median waiting time for elective surgery had also dropped from 8 months in November last year to just over 5 months.
The CWLB also provides information to hospitals and doctors to assist them with selecting appropriate hospitals and surgeons for patients. The CWLB is available on free call number 1800 654 807.
Media contact: Mark Thompson on 9213 6600