Delivering a healthy WA - focus on eyes to see waiting lists fall

16/12/04
Thousands of Western Australians waiting for surgery to remove their cataracts will be able to have their procedures done within three months under a $1.6million blitz on waiting lists.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the initiative would help cataract patients regain their vision sooner rather than later.
"Most of these people are elderly and have been waiting patiently for their surgery for many months and in some cases almost three years," Mr McGinty said.
"This plan will ensure that those people on the waiting list for cataract surgery can take up the option of having their treatment within three months or within weeks if it is urgent.
"While many public patients with cataracts are senior citizens who are prepared to wait to see the surgeon of their choice, we want to give those people an alternative.
"These are day procedures which take about 20 minutes but can give people back their sight and their independence."
Under the scheme, patients can opt to have their cataracts removed by another surgeon at Osborne Park Hospital's new state-of-the-art $11.3million operating theatre suite.
Mr McGinty said Professor Ian Constable from the Lions Eye Institute had been appointed State-wide Director of Ophthalmology to oversee a range of reforms including this initiative.
"Professor Constable is at the top of the field in ophthalmology and it is a major bonus for public sector health to have someone with his clinical and business expertise involved," the Minister said.
The number of people on the waiting list for cataract surgery is second only to the orthopaedic waiting list.
Since the scheme began in July, the total number of people waiting for cataract surgery has fallen from 3,344 to 2,760.
The average waiting time for cataract surgery is more than six months but under the new scheme people willing to have their surgery at Osborne Park will not have to wait any longer than is clinically desirable.
This means urgent cases can be done almost immediately while most other patients can be treated within three months.
Mr McGinty said the Commonwealth had agreed to pick up the surgical and anaesthetic costs for the procedures under Medicare and accept electronic bulk billing from surgeons.
This enables the Western Australian Government to significantly increase the number of procedures it can undertake.
"It means the cost to the State is now $700 instead of $1,800 when the Western Australian health system footed the entire bill," Mr McGinty said.
"We are now able to do twice as many procedures so people do not have to wait as long."
Minister's office: 9220 5000