ABSTRACT

Traditionally, non-emergency surgery has been subject to delay with patients joining a waiting list managed at the hospital. This has led to considerable disquiet amongst patients (and indeed the prospect of such delays was one of the stimuli towards private health cover). Waiting lists apply to non-urgent conditions. Emergencies have always received prompt attention. There can, however, be serious morbidity in those awaiting surgery (the failing vision of the patient awaiting cataract surgery, poor mobility of those awaiting hip replacements, and recurrent abdominal pain of those awaiting choleycystectomy) and there can in addition be risk of exacerbation of the condition (eg those awaiting cardiac surgery may die before it is available).