More than 180 Tasmanian women have so far accessed surgical procedures they needed sooner under the Government’s $7.2 million Women’s Health Package.
The package was announced on 27 August by the Minster for Health and myself, and will allow an estimated 900 additional procedures to be performed over two years targeting women who have waited the longest on the elective surgery list.
To date, a wide range of women’s health procedures have been performed under the pacakge, including 43 hysteroscopies, 23 hysterectomies, 17 laparoscopies, 11 cervical biopsies and 6 anterior/posterior repair operations, required after anal or vaginal prolapse.
Procedures were carried out in all parts of the State with 97 at the RHH, 82 at the LGH and 8 at the NWRH.
Women who previously suffered these debilitating conditions have finally been able to access to relief. The program has brought a focus to women’s issues that were previously treated as “elective surgery” and consequently were unfortunately regularly delayed due to well-known pressures in the health system, adding to their frustration and suffering.
I am very pleased that the government recognised the situation and acted swiftly to find the funds in partnership with the Federal Government.
The selection of patients is based on clinical need and the package also provides better support for women not requiring surgery.
I have been advised by the Health Minister that in just over two months, we have already completed 44 per cent of the procedures planned for this year.
I advocated strongly for this package for Tasmanian women, and I am delighted to see we are well on track and are providing Tasmanian women with the support they need for a better quality of life.
The flow-on effect of this package will mean even shorter waiting times for women added to the elective surgery list in the future.
The Government is proud to be building a better health system, with record funding, more staff and increased services.