NSW; Refshauge attacks surgery bias claims

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-1999
NSW; Refshauge attacks surgery bias claims

New South Wales Health Minister Dr ANDREW REFSHAUGE says there's no evidence that seriously
ill patients are missing out on surgery because of attempts to reduce hospital waiting lists.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports non-urgent patients in hospitals in Sydney's west and
south-west have been given priority over more urgent cases, including people with cancer.

The papers says the move was part of an attempt to get waiting lists down in the run up to
the March 27 election.

Dr REFSHAUGE has told reporters that there's no evidence that urgent surgery is being put
on the backburner in favour of less urgent long-term patients.

He says extra funding provided by the state government was for all patients within the
health system - not just those waiting for elective surgery.

AAP RTV ch/sb/nd/jn

KEYWORD: POLLNSW LISTS (MURWILLUMBAH)

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