A new study has found that surgical admissions in public hospitals are increasing at a faster rate than those in private hospitals, highlighting the importance of a strong public health sector for all Australians, the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (AHHA) said today.

The Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association is the independent peak membership body and advocate for the Australian healthcare system and a national voice for universally accessible, high quality healthcare.

“The publication, Surgery in Australian Hospitals 2010–11, by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that in 2010-11 growth in surgery admissions in public hospitals has outstripped annual growth in private hospitals 2.7% to 2.1%,” Ms Prue Power AM, AHHA CEO said today.

“This reflects the rising demand for public hospital services in the community and the impact of the Federal Government’s funding injection targeting elective surgery. Prior to this funding increase, public hospitals had struggled for many years to meet increasing demand with inadequate resources.

“AHHA welcomed the finding that in 2010–11, 50% of patients admitted from public hospital elective surgery waiting lists waited 36 days or less and 90% had been admitted within 252 days.  For patients with cancer-related principal diagnoses, the median waiting time for surgery was 19 days, 17 days shorter than the median waiting time for all patients of 36 days.

“This demonstrates that public hospitals are prioritising their resources appropriately and targeting those most in need. With additional resources, public hospitals would be able to continue to reduce waiting times for treatment and ensure the time patients spend waiting for treatment is minimised.  

“Another important finding from this research was the numbers of people from high socio-economic groups who have elective surgery in public hospitals. In fact, in 2011 almost 20 people per 1000 population in the highest socioeconomic quintile underwent an elective surgical procedure in the public hospital (compared to just under 40 for the lowest quintile).

“This shows that public hospitals are providing both emergency and elective procedures across the spectrum of society and that all Australians have a stake in building a strong and high quality public hospital system.

“AHHA welcomes this important piece of research and notes that with appropriate funding and support, public hospitals can continue to provide high quality health care that Australians from all walks of life deserve,” Ms Power said.

For more information/comment: Ms Prue Power, CEO AHHA, 0417 419 857

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