The WA Liberals have today announced the Elective Surgery Guarantee, meaning all Western Australians will get their surgery within the medically recommended timeframe.

“We should not allow Western Australians’ medical conditions to deteriorate to the point they become critical – it’s just nonsensical,” said Ms Mettam.

“But under Roger Cook and his Health Minister, the elective surgery waitlist has blown out 50 per cent, leaving thousands waiting longer for their surgery than what is considered safe.

“Every number on the waitlist represents a person enduring pain and discomfort, waiting for hip and knee replacements, breast removals, and critical eye and ear surgeries.

“The longer the wait, the worse the conditions often become, exacerbating the pain and financial hardship on patients and growing the burden on the health system.”

Elective surgery is medically required but non-emergency surgery, bookable in advance.

“Our Elective Surgery Guarantee will mean every Western Australian gets their surgery within clinical timeframes,” said Ms Mettam.

“It is one element in our comprehensive plan to end the rolling crises in health, build capacity, and deliver WA the health system it deserves.

“But it means if a patient can’t get their surgery within the medically recommended timeframe in the public system, they will get it in the private system, at no cost to them.

“On average 5,200 Western Australians – or more than 1 in 6 on the waiting list – were waiting longer than recommended for their surgery in the year to August 2024.”

By comparison, 1,242 patients were over boundary in March 2017, representing a 320% blow out.

“It will be a key plank in our plan to invest in health, and work with the private sector to fix the healthcare system and restore timely access to medical care,” she said.

“We will take urgent action to address the backlog by working with private health providers to increase the number of surgeries which can be performed – often for less than it would cost in the public system.”

It is anticipated 10,000 additional surgeries will be performed within the first two years of the Mettam Liberal Government, clearing Labor’s backlog. Those will be supported by a $100 million investment over four years, permanently undoing the Cook Labor Government’s mess.

“Our health plan is about strategically investing in the right places, to give patients the dignity they deserve, and to deliver Western Australians the healthcare system they can trust,” said Ms Mettam.

“We are the richest state in Australia, it shouldn’t feel like our health system is on life support.

“Roger Cook is the architect of the rolling crises in WA’s health system – ambulance ramping is at record levels; elective surgery waitlists have blown out; and hospitals are chronically understaffed.

“He has been in the health portfolio or Premier for 15 years, this is a mess entirely of his making.”