Australians facing longer waits for elective surgery
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A declining number of Australians are able to have elective surgery (necessary surgery that can be delayed for at least 24 hours) within the recommended time. According to the annual The State of our Public Hospitals Report released on July 3, in 2004-05 only 82% of patients, as compared to 90% in 1998-99, were treated within the designated time period.