THE state government says the number of overdue surgeries has fallen dramatically in Nepean Blue Mountains local Health District from 1,223 in June 2022 to 0 in June
2025. 

“It comes as overdue surgeries across the state have fallen 85 per cent in the same period. It follows the Minns Labor Government’s investment of over $200 million over the past year to further reduce the number of patients with planned surgeries waiting longer than clinically recommended,” a press release from Penrith MP Karen McKeown OAM states.  

Mrs McKeown said NSW is one of the strongest performing states in Australia for planned surgery with the highest proportion of patients admitted within clinically recommended time at 85.3 per cent in 2023-24, above Queensland (81 per cent), Victoria (80 per cent) and Western Australia (80 per cent). 

Since the establishment of NSW Surgical Care Governance Taskforce in 2023, a range of innovative statewide strategies have been implemented to cut down wait times as well as improve and maintain access to planned surgery. This includes the expansion of same-day surgery across NSW. Surgery that can be safely performed on the same day helps to meet the demand for surgery and improves patient experiences by enabling patients to return to the comfort of their home with support, where clinically appropriate. 

The Surgical Care Strategic Committee is continuing the work of the Taskforce to ensure public hospital surgical services in NSW are sustainable and patients can continue to access the care they require in clinically recommended timeframes.  

“I have seen significant improvements in surgery wait times for our Penrith community. While these improvements are promising, I acknowledge there is still more to be done,” Mrs McKeown said. 

“Local residents shouldn’t be waiting longer than they need for life changing surgery. Our government has added more staff and more investment, to reduce wait times and we are seeing the results.”