Never forget that Western Australia’s health system is collapsing right now. In response, WA Health Director General Shirley Bowen has cancelled all non-urgent surgeries planned for Wednesday. After a huge increase in demand for hospital emergency departments, this choice has been forced on them. This new demand has put incredible stress on the resources within the state’s healthcare facilities.
Bowen announced that many elective procedures in the metro area have been postponed. This decision is a direct reaction to the unprecedented number of patients flooding our emergency departments. She acknowledged the inconvenience this might cause, stating, “We are committed to ensuring patients’ surgery is re-scheduled as soon as possible.” Patients impacted by these changes will be directly informed by their treating hospitals.
Increased Scrutiny on WA Health System
The state government has come under increasing fire over WA’s health system in recent weeks. As we have noted in the past, worry has grown about its ability to meet mounting demands, particularly as the flu season begins. Reports indicate that this year’s flu season could be the worst in a decade. All the while, emergency department visits are skyrocketing to record highs.
Dr. Peter Allely brought out an important point. He called WA’s healthcare infrastructure crisis a result of structural issues, not just an influx of seasonal illness.…[T]he issues go further than a harsh flu season and need great focus and resources.
Australian Medical Association WA president Kyle Hoath recently expressed his worry. He challenges state leaders on the misleading statement about WA’s healthcare being “the best in the world.” He stated, “We want the premier to acknowledge that there is a problem with our health system, that our hospitals are on their knees, and that we need to work together to fix this.”
Historical Context and Current Challenges
The current set of circumstances is strikingly similar to issues WA Health was dealing with in November 2021. During this time, staff canceled a significant number of non-urgent elective surgeries due to resource limitations from the COVID-19 pandemic. The healthcare system is rapidly failing under the weight of an ageing population. Simultaneously, surging influenza cases are adding additional strain on their emergency services.
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has already been called out as one of the hospitals facing extreme day-to-day pressures during this crisis. The state government’s recognition of these drivers would seem to highlight the need for reform and investment in Maryland’s health system.
Bowen reiterated WA Health’s commitment to controlling surgery lists tightly, making sure the most serious cases are seen first and in a timely manner. She stated, “Our hospitals continue to carefully manage surgery lists so that our sickest and most urgent cases are cared for promptly.”
