The Western Australian health system is in crisis.

It has been plagued with problems, including a staggering increase in elective surgery wait lists, as well as a severe shortage of resources in emergency departments.

Astoundingly, seven of the eight worst-performing emergency departments in the country are located in Western Australia.

This concerning trend has led to an alarming increase in ambulance ramping outside hospitals, with a staggering 52,000 hours recorded in 2023.

Despite spending more per capita on hospitals than other states, Western Australia’s health system remains less efficient and delivers worse outcomes.

Urgent action is needed to address these issues – action that will put the needs of patients first and provide them with the best possible care.

The elective surgery report for October 2023, shows 29,789 people were waiting for surgery at public hospitals, with 4,893 waiting longer than the maximum recommended time for their surgery.

In March 2017, there were 19,931 people waiting for surgery with 1,242 waiting longer than clinically recommended.

This is a 50 per cent increase in elective surgery cases over the past seven years and an almost 300 per cent increase in those waiting longer than clinically appropriate.

The Cook Government has failed to provide adequate solutions to the growing demand for hospital services.

The Sustainable Health Review – meant to identify and address the root causes of these problems – has been ignored, leaving the health system in disarray and in a worse position than when the government came to power in 2017.

The WA Liberals will make sure people are not waiting for necessary surgeries, to the detriment of their health.

Western Australians who rely on our health system to provide them with essential surgeries deserve a system that actually delivers timely healthcare.

Only a WA Liberal Government will achieve it.

The WA Liberals believe that timely elective surgeries are crucial to maintaining the quality of life for many Australians.

These procedures help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and boost overall health and well-being.

Unfortunately, elective surgery wait times have skyrocketed in Western Australia, with thousands of people waiting longer than is deemed clinically appropriate, and many waiting more than a year.

This has profound affects for many in our community leading to significant discomfort and decreased quality of life.

Addressing the backlog of surgeries will help reduce the burden on the hospital system by ensuring patients are treated in a timely manner, freeing up resources for other critical medical needs.

A WA Liberal Government will introduce an Elective Surgery Guarantee, where patients will receive their surgery in the private system, if they cannot get their surgery done within the medically recommended timeframe in the public system.

This will allow patients to take control of their healthcare needs, ensuring that they receive timely medical attention that meets their specific requirements, at no extra cost.

By implementing an elective surgery guarantee, we will cut down on excessive wait times, providing patients with the surgeries they need when they need them most.

It is anticipated 10,000 additional surgeries will be performed within the first two years of the Mettam Liberal Government, clearing Labor’s backlog.

Western Australians waiting on vital medical care – regardless of clinical urgency – deserve a government that is committed to meeting the medically recommended standard of care and delivering timely health outcomes.

Only the WA Liberal Party is committed to reducing the elective surgery wait list and ensuring that all Western Australians receive timely and essential medical care.