Objective To explore the factors associated with waiting times for surgery in public hospitals. Setting Three major acute care public hospitals in one Area Health Service. Participants 691 adult patients entered onto the computerised booking list between 16 and 22 November 1994, and then between 16 January and 12 February 1995, were interviewed prospectively and followed up over a minimum of 18 months. Data were obtained from the Area Health Service's computerised booking system and patient self‐report. Results Relevant surgical specialty, urgency rating, employment status and health insurance status were significantly associated with waiting time. Age, hospital, sex, country of birth, education, marital status and holding a Health Care Card were not significantly associated with waiting time. Self‐reported health status (as measured by the SF‐36) was not associated with waiting time for surgery. Conclusions Waiting time for surgery was not simply determined by how urgently patients need surgery, but also by the type of surgery needed and patient's employment and health insurance status. The extent of disability experienced by patients, as measured by the SF‐36, was not reflected in waiting times for surgery.

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Abstract

These three major recommendations will require a significant reorganisation of surgical services in NSW. However, they are also relevant to surgical services planning elsewhere in Australia. It is imperative that these recommendations are incorporated into long term surgical planning in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of surgical service delivery.