August 8th, 2025Surgery record
Victoria’s doctors, nurses and surgical teams delivered the most planned surgeries on record – marking the second consecutive record-breaking year across the state’s public hospitals.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas recently met with dedicated healthcare workers at Monash Health – who along with thousands of healthcare workers across the state – helped deliver a record more than 212,000 surgeries.
Monash Health delivered almost 30,000 planned surgeries in the past year, with their strong performance supported by the Integrated Perioperative Care Centre – which streamlines complex and high-risk procedures – taking pressure off the main hospital theatres and improving patient outcomes.
A record-breaking 58,264 patients received planned surgery in the last quarter – a 13 per cent rise compared to pre-pandemic levels – with the overall waitlist down 3.7 per cent since last quarter.
This quarter, all Category 1 patients continued to be treated within the recommended time, and median wait times for Category 2 and 3 patients improved by five and 25 days, respectively, from the same quarter last year.
The Planned Surgery Blueprint has guided this reform – shortening wait times, expanding non-surgical alternatives, preparing patients for faster recovery, increasing same day surgeries and boosting capacity through dedicated health infrastructure like Rapid Access Hubs and Public Surgical Centres.
To further support regional patients, the state government is also establishing an additional five new Patient Support Units (PSUs) – helping patients navigate the surgery process by coordinating care, exploring alternative treatment pathways, and keeping patients informed throughout their journey.
These will be established at Central Highlands Rural Health, Mildura Base Public Hospital, Echuca Regional Health, Colac Area Health and Bass Coast Health – bringing the total number of PSUs to 28 statewide.
Victoria’s emergency departments faced record demand last quarter, with more than 513,200 presentations, and despite this, treatment times improved.
Victoria’s hardworking paramedics continue to face significant winter demand, responding to more than 98,000 lights and sirens cases, averaging almost 1,100 cases every day.
