Canberrans waiting to see specialists or undergo surgery through public health system face lengthy delays
ABCUnder Canberra Health Services guidelines, Rohan Goyne should have been able to meet with a specialist to discuss his need for surgery within 90 days. As a "Category 2" patient he was meant to be seen within three months, but after going on a waiting list in August 2021, he's still waiting. "These figures paint a very bleak picture for any Canberran that may need elective surgery in the future as well, as the tens of thousands of Canberrans who will have to live in pain and sometimes debilitating conditions until they are admitted," Ms Castley said. Appointment pre-screening, more specialist recruitment ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith says health services are working to recruit more medical specialists. Canberra Health Services chief operations officer Cathie O'Neill said more pre-screening work is being done to shorten appointment times, so more patients can be seen.
History of this topic
Millions of dollars in funding announced as Canberra's hospitals experience 'significant increased pressure'
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Queensland Health has hundreds of thousands of people waiting for specialist outpatient care
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Thousands of Canberra's young people on specialist waiting lists, travelling interstate as Opposition calls for better healthcare
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Canberra GPs urged to reconsider sending patients to the emergency department
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Canberra's specialist shortage keeping Canberra toddler waiting for surgery
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Canberra woman's time on ACT Health's elective surgery wait list 'like an episode of Fawlty Towers'
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Rural patients waiting up to eight weeks to see a GP, doctors use new methods to provide care
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Excesive specialist waiting times will increase surgery demand, union warns
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