The number of elective surgeries performed across Australia has plummeted to a 10-year low due to COVID disruptions.
New data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows hospitals performed 623,000 elective surgeries during the 2021-22 financial year, a 17 per cent drop from the previous year.
AIHW spokesperson Dr Adrian Webster (PhD) said the drop in elective surgeries was followed by periodic suspensions of lower-urgency elective surgeries starting from March 2020 which was aimed at ensuring the health system maintained adequate capacity during the pandemic.
“An elective surgery is medically necessary, and may be urgent, but applies where the patient’s clinical condition does not require immediate care through an emergency admission,” he said.
Northern Health was contacted for comment but were unable to provide details on elective surgery cancellations at the time of publication.
However the spokesperson currently there were no plans to cancel elective surgeries at this present stage.
“Northern Health has strategies in place, which have been developed and refined since the beginning of the pandemic, to manage the current influx of COVID cases in our community.
“Vaccinations are our best defence against COVID and we encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with their vaccinations. We urge anyone with COVID symptoms to get tested and stay home if you feel unwell.”
