Victorians may soon be sent home on the same day as major hip and knee surgery

Victorians having hip and knee replacement surgery could be sent home the same day or the following day under a push to cut public surgery wait times.

The Elective Surgery Reform Commission, a clinician board which reports to government, has put forward the proposal.

Chair of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, Dr Anita Boecksteiner, told Neil Mitchell if pre-surgery preparation is comprehensive, some patients can safely go home on the day of surgery.

Press PLAY below to hear what needs to happen to facilitate same-day discharge

“The problem is with the public purse we have to look at ways to get more people done who are suffering in the community,” she said.