What is an Elective Surgery Wait list?
You need a procedure and, after discussion with your doctor, you have been placed on the waiting list for this procedure.
The Department of Health has devised an elective surgery waiting list policy, which Western Health uses to categorise the clinical urgency of patients.
Your doctor has assessed the urgency of your surgery and placed you in one of the following categories:
Category 1: Admission within 30 days desirable for a condition that has the potential to deteriorate quickly to the point that it may become an emergency.
Category 2: Admission within 90 days desirable due to the clinical condition of the patient.
Category 3: Admission within 365 days is desirable due to the clinical condition of the patient.
The timelines provided by the Department of Health are desirable time frames. Western Health aims to treat patients within these time frames; however, from time to time more urgent cases may result in longer timeframes.
During your waiting time, if you believe your condition has worsened you need to go back to your local doctor for review.
When will I receive a booking date?
Once you have been placed on the Elective Surgery Wait list for your procedure, Western Health will contact you with a date for your procedure. This may mean that you may not be contacted by our booking officer for quite some time. To ensure minimal delays, you must notify the Elective Surgery Booking office of any changes to your mailing address or contact numbers. Please contact the Elective Surgery Booking Office (8345 1947) or Endoscopy Bookings (8345 6015) if you no longer need or want your procedure.
Do I have to take the date that is offered?
Western Health will aim to give you adequate notice prior to your procedure. If you are unable to attend your booking you must notify the Elective Surgery Booking Office (8345 1947) or Endoscopy Bookings (8345 6015) as soon as possible. We will attempt to provide a new booking as early as possible. Please make sure that our booking staff are kept up to date with your current contact details. At the end of this brochure you will find the elective surgical booking office contact address and phone number. Please note that you may be removed from the waiting list if you:
Not all surgery is performed at all hospital locations, therefore at times campus preference cannot be accommodated.
Interpreter Service
Western Health understands that relatives like to help in any way that they can and will often offer their services to interpret during a medical appointment. Because we are discussing your medical condition, it is more appropriate that we provide you with an interpreter who is able to assist you in understanding the surgery that you are about to have. Your relatives are welcome to attend clinic and appointments with you; tell our staff if you need an Interpreter.
Overseas Visitor
If you are visiting from an overseas country, you will need to pay for services from our hospital. Please refer to our Medicare Ineligible information.
Patient Brochures
Western Health Elective Admissions Patient Guide 2014
