Victoria healthcare: Proposals to reduce surgery waits and overcrowding

The Victorian Liberals and Nationals have proposed the ‘Surgery Sooner’ program, which aims to utilize the surgical capacity of private hospitals to reduce waiting lists for public hospital patients. The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has supported the initiative, suggesting that four-year contracts would provide the stability necessary for private facilities to manage staffing and resources effectively.

In a separate election pledge, Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson has proposed a $99 million ‘Patient Transit Lounge Fund’. The plan aims to address hospital overcrowding and ambulance ramping by establishing up to 10 new or expanded patient transit lounges. These lounges are designed to hold patients who are medically cleared for discharge but are awaiting medication, transport, or final arrangements, thereby freeing up inpatient beds and emergency department space.