The state government has released a four-year elective surgery plan which will require $702.6 million to deliver.
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The plan has set a target to increase the number of people on the elective surgery waiting list seen on time to 95 per cent in 2024-25.
It has a target to reduce the average overdue wait time from 60 days in 2021-22 to 30 days in 2024-25.
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Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the plan would deliver an additional 22,300 surgeries in Tasmania.
"We are working hard to reduce the elective surgery waiting list, because behind every case is a person requiring care, and we must do better," he said.
The plan includes a goal to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and give greater clarity about outsourcing arrangements, supported by a $20 million fund.
There will be more investment in infrastructure and equipment in public hospitals to improve capacity in operating theatres, clinics, and hospital wards.
Mr Rockliff said there would be more investment in the hospital workforce so staff were supported amid increased surgeries.
The report highlights the funding requirements for the plan to proceed.
There will be $181.1 million required next financial year and an additional $170.7 million the following year.
There will be $172.4 million required in 2023-24 and $178.2 million in the plan's final year.
As of July, there were 11,406 Tasmanians on the elective surgery waiting list.
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There were:
- 4325 people waiting for procedures at the Launceston General Hospital;
- 1007 people waiting for surgery at the Mersey Community Hospital;
- 1322 waiting for surgery at the North West Regional Hospital;
- and 4752 people waiting to get in at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
The plan outlines refurbishments and additions to the Launceston General Hospital such as an upgrade to the 28-bed medical ward on Ward 3D, expanded capacity of short stay surgical unit beds, and a new paediatric unit on Ward 4K.
It has proposed expanded operating theatre hours for the hospital.
For the North West Regional Hospital, there is a plan to increase the medical bed capacity from 40 beds to 47 beds this financial year.
It proposes there be an additional emergency theatre at the hospital to run five mornings each week.
There is a plan for an eight-bed short stay surgical unit to be established in 2022-23.
Four beds to allow for post-operative close observation are planned to open in that year.
The plan can be viewed on the Health Department's website.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
