❓ Question raises concerns about inequitable access to subspecialist colorectal surgery in the South West for public vs. private patients, and the suitability of general surgeons performing complex procedures. The answer defends the current model as sustainable and not unique.
AnsweredQoN 2155Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to subspecialist
colorectal surgery in the South West managed by the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) and I ask: (a) why
are patients with private health insurance living in the South West able to
access a subspecialist colorectal surgeon in their home region, but those
without private health insurance cannot; (b) why do
the colorectal services offered to public patients in the South West region not
involve the only subspecialist colorectal surgeon living and working in the
region; and (c) why
does WACHS prioritise general surgeons without subspeciality to perform complex
colorectal surgery, an approach that would not be accepted in metropolitan
areas, nor comparable regional areas across Australia?
colorectal surgery in the South West managed by the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) and I ask: (a) why
are patients with private health insurance living in the South West able to
access a subspecialist colorectal surgeon in their home region, but those
without private health insurance cannot; (b) why do
the colorectal services offered to public patients in the South West region not
involve the only subspecialist colorectal surgeon living and working in the
region; and (c) why
does WACHS prioritise general surgeons without subspeciality to perform complex
colorectal surgery, an approach that would not be accepted in metropolitan
areas, nor comparable regional areas across Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health
Response time
6 days
(a - c)
The most sustainable model of delivering public surgical services in the South West, including subspecialist colorectal surgery, has been determined to be via experienced General Surgeons with an expectation surgeons maintain currency across a broad range of surgical skills. This model is not unique to the South West and exists across Australia.
Where appropriate, and when supported by a multidisciplinary approach, a public patient may be referred to the colorectal subspecialist locally. Any complex cases that cannot be accommodated in the South West are referred to Fiona Stanley Hospital.
The most sustainable model of delivering public surgical services in the South West, including subspecialist colorectal surgery, has been determined to be via experienced General Surgeons with an expectation surgeons maintain currency across a broad range of surgical skills. This model is not unique to the South West and exists across Australia.
Where appropriate, and when supported by a multidisciplinary approach, a public patient may be referred to the colorectal subspecialist locally. Any complex cases that cannot be accommodated in the South West are referred to Fiona Stanley Hospital.
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