In July, 77 per cent of patients’ assessment and treatment commenced on time at the LGH ED.

This dropped to 68 per cent in August and 63 per cent in September.

This was the lowest percentage of patients seen on time in the year leading up to September 2016, according to the data. 

All category one patients were seen immediately, in line with regulation. 

In September 2016, there were 3255 presentations at the LGH ED. 

The data was detailed on Tuesday on the Department of Health and Human Services online dashboard.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the data showed a 32 per cent drop in the state’s elective surgery waiting list.

He said there were almost 2800 fewer Tasmanians waiting for elective surgery at the end of September compared to the year before.

The waiting list at the LGH showed the most significant drop, decreasing by 1543 people, or 40 per cent, the data showed.

The Royal Hobart Hospital’s waiting list declined by 28 per cent. 

Elective surgery patients seen within time also increased by 18 per cent between October 2015 and September 2016 to reach 77 per cent. 

“The dashboard also shows continued reduction in the average excessive wait times for non-urgent patients, of a reduction of 73 days, almost 40 per cent,” Mr Ferguson said. 

Mr Ferguson said the DHHS advised that as at the end of December 2016, the state’s elective surgery waiting list was at about 6000. 

“This fantastic achievement was driven by high volumes of surgery, with more than 19,300 Tasmanians receiving surgery in the past 12 months to the end of September,” Mr Ferguson said. 

In September, there were 2795 eligible women screened for breast cancer, up from 2599 in August. 

Mr Ferguson said the data also showed “significant reductions” in the dental care waiting list. 

The number of adults waiting for dentures to be provided by Oral Health Services Tasmania dropped from 729 in October 2015 to 558 in September 2016. 

Adults waiting for general oral care dropped from 8928 to 7223 in the same period.