Why elective surgeries are still being cancelled in Victoria

Despite elective surgery caps being ditched earlier this year, surgeries are still regularly being cancelled at many Victorian hospitals.

The Age reports potentially life-saving procedures at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre — including surgery for skin, bowel, head and neck cancer — have been repeatedly postponed and rescheduled.

AMA Victoria vice-president Dr Jill Tomlinson blames staff shortages for surgery cancellations.

“Whether it’s gastro, COVID, rhinovirus — lots of people are getting sick and unfortunately we don’t have the healthcare workers to sustain elective surgery at its usual pace so that’s leading to cancellations across the system,” she told Ross and Russel.

Dr Tomlinson says the flu and COVID-19 will continue to threaten the community in coming months, and Victorians should take precautions.

“I’d suggest anybody who hasn’t yet made their appointment to get their flu vax look at putting that in their diary,” she said.

In a pre-election pitch, the state government promised $1.5 billion to crank elective surgery up to 125 per cent of pre-pandemic operations in a bid to clear backlogs fuelled by pandemic restrictions, but doubts are being cast on the deliverability of the package.

Press PLAY below to hear what’s fuelling the cancellations