Department of Health

Victoria delivers a record number of planned surgeries

11/08/25
Michelle gazes directly at the camera, sitting in front of a vibrant mural painted on the interior wall of West Gippsland Hospital.

In the past year, Victorian healthcare workers delivered 212,705 planned surgeries – the highest ever on record – with more Victorians receiving the care they need, faster.

This quarter, all Category 1 patients continued to be treated within the recommended time, and median wait times for Category 2 and 3 patients improved by 5 and 25 days, respectively, from the same quarter last year.

This outstanding result is thanks to our incredible health services, nurses, doctors, surgeons and other health workers, working hard to deliver great patient care in even better ways.

Guided by the Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint (the Blueprint), our health services are delivering on reforms that are improving support for patients, significantly reducing wait times and contributing to ensuring more patients receive timely, high-quality care.

The Blueprint continues to deliver initiatives that improve supports for patients while waiting for care, increases access to optimisation and non-surgical pathways and improves system efficiency, enabling Victorians to receive the planned surgery they need, when they need it.

Thanks to all our health workers who are part of transforming the way we deliver planned surgery and better health outcomes for Victorians.

Michelle's story

Guided by Victoria's Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint, health services like West Gippsland Hospital have been implementing reform to improve how surgery is delivered, ensuring patients like Michelle receive the care they need, faster.

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    Reviewed 11 August 2025

    Health.vic

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