South Australia’s elective surgery system has hit a major milestone, with new figures confirming the SA Government has delivered a record 61,875 operations in the past financial year, nearly 9,000 more surgeries than the year before.
It’s a result that signals a significant lift in hospital capacity and a clear improvement in patient access, backed by a major expansion of specialist outpatient services. South Australians are now benefiting from 137,000 more specialist outpatient appointments each year compared with two years ago, easing pressure on waiting lists and helping more patients move from consultation to treatment sooner.
A key driver behind this surge is the revitalisation of Henley Beach’s Western Hospital, which was saved from voluntary administration through a $3 million State Government partnership to upgrade its outpatient services following its sale in November 2024. Under the agreement, Western Hospital committed to performing 4,000 elective surgeries from public waiting lists over three years — and the team has already exceeded expectations.
As of 1 November, the hospital has delivered 1,065 surgeries in its first year, with another 110 procedures booked and 156 referrals underway, placing it well ahead of schedule as it enters year two of the agreement. The extra capacity has been crucial in high-demand specialties including gastroenterology, gynaecology, general surgery, and ophthalmology.
The hospital’s transformation now includes a newly opened 16-bed inpatient ward, a day surgery clinic catering for public and private patients, and the addition of a new GenesisCare chemotherapy clinic, strengthening access to cancer care for the western suburbs community. This local expansion forms part of a broader SA Health approach, with the State Government partnering with a network of private hospitals to maintain elective surgery throughput during periods of peak pressure on the public system.
These results were outlined today as the Government unveiled its new elective surgery strategy, focused on improving how surgeries are managed and delivered as demand increases with an ageing population. The plan includes boosting theatre access, improving patient prioritisation, streamlining care pathways, adopting new digital tools, and supporting the growth of the healthcare workforce.
Health Minister Chris Picton said the latest numbers reflect a system moving in the right direction.
“Thousands more South Australians are having elective surgery under Labor compared to the Liberals, and we’re also delivering 137,000 more specialist outpatient appointments a year,” he said. Picton praised the Western Hospital partnership, noting it had “exceeded expectations and played a crucial role in alleviating pressures on elective surgery waiting lists.”
Deputy Chief Executive of Clinical System Support and Improvement, Robyn Lindsay, said the agreement has helped South Australia meet and exceed elective surgery targets across a range of high-demand specialties, while Western Hospital CEO David Coorey described the collaboration as a win for patients and the health system.
“The partnership between Western Hospital and the State Government has exceeded expectations in improving access to elective surgery,” Coorey said.
The full elective surgery strategy is now available on the SA Health website.
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