Government to fast-track 20,000 overdue procedures following audit
The NSW government is launching a $17 million initiative to address a backlog of 20,000 overdue endoscopy procedures. This move follows an audit revealing that public health system delays may be hindering timely cancer diagnoses.
Why it matters
Addressing diagnostic backlogs is critical for public health outcomes, particularly for bowel cancer, which is a leading cause of death in the region.
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Share A A A The NSW Labor government will expedite endoscopy procedures after a preliminary audit found at least 20,000 overdue tests in the public health system, which could be delaying cancer diagnoses.
The intervention follows discussion with clinicians and patients about endoscopy waiting times, which prompted NSW Health to collect data from across the public system. It has not previously been monitored centrally.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says he had heard the concerns of doctors and patients about overdue endoscopy tests. Sitthixay Ditthavong Preliminary figures show 20,000 endoscopy procedures could be overdue, with final figures still to be validated.
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