Wait Times
As the population in the Bass Coast region grows, the demand for both elective and emergency surgery also increases. With advancements in surgical procedures, we can now treat an expanding range of conditions more effectively and safely. This increased safety has made surgery a more acceptable option for many people.
At Bass Coast Health, we are committed to treating all patients on our waiting list in a timely manner. Each patient is assigned a category of urgency by their surgeon, which influences their waiting time.
| Category 1 - URGENT | Category 2 – SEMI-URGENT | Category 3 – NON-URGENT |
| Patients who require urgent surgery are typically admitted within 30 days | Patients needing semi-urgent surgery are usually treated within 90 days | Patients who require non-urgent surgery are usually treated within 365 days |
If your condition changes or worsens, please consult your General Practitioner, as your surgeon may adjust your urgency category accordingly.
We strive to ensure you receive timely treatment. While we aim for swift service, waiting times can sometimes be longer than desired. To address this, we are implementing several strategies, including more efficient use of hospital beds and operating theatres.
Additionally, we are adding extra interim care beds to reduce the use of scheduled elective surgery ward beds for emergency patients, among other initiatives like expanding our Admission/Discharge Lounge. Although we aim to minimise Hospital Initiated Postponements, if your surgery is postponed, we will endeavour to reschedule within five working days.