Changes in surgical techniques and models of care have led to procedures that traditionally required an overnight stay in hospital to transition to same day elective surgery for the majority of patients. As well as already having established day only surgeries, NSW Health has reviewed the scientific evidence in consultation with clinical experts and identified a set of procedures that should routinely be scheduled as same day (within 23 hours), unless otherwise indicated.
Public hospitals across NSW are working to safely increase same day surgery, with aspirational targets for the percentage of procedures completed as same day cases. Achieving these targets will improve access to surgical services across the NSW public health system, improve patient experience and reduce the risk of hospital acquired complications.
The decision to have elective surgery needs to be made carefully. You, your general practitioner (GP) and a specialist surgeon must consider all available options and agree on what is best for your health.
If you or someone you care for needs or is considering elective surgery in a NSW public hospital, you might have some questions. NSW Health has information for patients, carers and families that answer many of the frequently asked questions we receive.
Empowering patients in their own care is a key priority of NSW Health. Hip and knee replacement are some the most common procedures performed in NSW public hospitals. The growth in international and local evidence from pilot sites for the same day joint replacement surgery has identified same day and short stay options for common orthopaedic procedures to be spread across the state. These options can safely reduce the length of stay in hospital for patients following a hip or knee joint replacement which improves their experience, reduces the risk of hospital acquired complications and increases capacity for surgery.
If you need more information on how to join a waitlist for elective surgery at a NSW public hospital, please call the NSW Health Surgery Access Line on 1800 053 456 during business hours.
If you have questions about your current place on a surgery waitlist, please call the Admissions Office at your referred hospital.
Contact your referred hospital via the Healthdirect website.