Elective surgery resumes in the ACT

Some elective surgery and procedures in ACT public hospitals will resume from Tuesday 28 April in a careful and staged approach.

We are now working through our public wait lists to reschedule some patients, based on clinical urgency.

This will include all Category 1 surgeries and procedures, all Category 2 and selected Category 3 and other procedures which could include:

• IVF        
• Screening programs (cancer, including breast cancer)
• Post cancer reconstruction procedures
• Procedures for children under 18 years of age
• Joint replacements (including knees, hips and shoulders)
• Cataracts and eye procedures
• Endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures.

Planning is also underway to reinstate some dental services.

If your elective surgery has been confirmed and booked, you will be contacted directly by the relevant hospital.

Patients are asked not to contact hospitals as they work through these arrangements so staff can prioritise contacting those with the most urgent needs.

This staged approach is in line with the Federal Government’s current stance on elective surgery and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While we would like to conduct even more elective surgeries, we need to ensure we are doing so safely and preserving our Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) supplies. This is to ensure we can protect staff and patients should we experience an outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT.

The impact of elective surgery will be closely monitored and reviewed to ensure it does not compromise the territory’s preparedness to meet demand for public hospital services from any increase in COVID-19 cases.

If your condition changes, make an appointment to see your GP or your surgeon. If you have any concerns or questions you can contact our Territory Wide Surgical Services Team on 5124 9889.