Planned surgery access policy 2024

The Planned surgery access policy 2024 sets out the department's expectations for access to planned surgery and procedures in Victorian public health services. This policy replaces the 2015 Elective surgery access policy. The target audience is Victorian public health services, particularly the executive and management teams of these services.

The policy prioritises timely and equitable access to planned surgery and procedures for all Victorians regardless of where they live. The policy also aligns with and supports the recommendations of the Review of access to planned surgery in public hospitals and the Best care: Guidance for non-urgent elective surgery.

Review of access to planned surgery in public hospitals

A report on how clinical urgency, complexity, and categorisation affects waiting times for elective surgery for public and private patients in Victorian public health services

National elective surgery urgency categorisation guideline

Referring clinicians should consult the National elective surgery urgency categorisation guideline for guidance about procedures not listed in the Victorian recommended guide on the assignment of clinical urgency categories.

Self-assessment tool and implementation tracker

Public health services will be asked to work towards meeting the expectations of the policy over a two-year implementation phase. The department has developed a readiness assessment tool and an implementation tracker to support health services with implementation in order to meet all the requirements of the policy by June 2026. These tools aim to support the identification of good practice in action, areas needing improvement and actions that will be undertaken to meet the expectations of the policy.

If you have any questions about these tools please contact plannedcare@health.vic.gov.au.