Independent Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard welcomes the establishment of the Elective Wait List Advocate Committee (Committee) which is part of the State Government’s strategy to reduce patients’ waiting times for elective surgery at public hospitals.

“I believe establishing the Committee is a step in the right direction,” said Dr Woollard.

“It will have the task of identifying areas within the health system that need improvements so patients would not have to wait longer than they should to have elective surgeries.

“More importantly, the Committee has the power to advocate on behalf of patients who have waited longer than clinically appropriate for their surgeries, or who have waited more than 3 months to be placed on a wait list.”

Dr Woollard said while the number of cases waiting longer than the recommended period for elective surgeries in public hospitals have improved since 2006, about 12% are still waiting longer than they should. Another 13% are waiting more than 3 months to be placed on the wait list for elective surgeries.

“Patients who have unresolved complaints about long wait times for elective surgeries now have the option of referring their cases for review by the Committee, who will make appropriate recommendations,” said Dr Woollard.

However, Dr Woollard advises those with complaints to attempt to resolve their issues with the relevant public hospitals first, before referring their case to the Committee.

Dr Woollard said patients who wish to have their cases reviewed by the Committee should complete the complaint form which can be downloaded from http://www.health.wa.gov.au/electivesurgery/committee/index.cfm. Members of the community may also obtain a copy of the form by contacting Dr Woollard’s electorate office on 9316 1377.

“As a Registered Nurse, I have always been concerned about long wait lists for surgeries and have lobbied the State Government to commit to the Fiona Stanley Hospital as one measure of alleviating the backlog.

“I hope the Committee will lead to further  improvements for Western Australians who require elective surgeries,” said Dr Woollard.