Elective Surgery update

This year we have participated in the Gippsland Health Service Partnership (GHSP), which involved working with other perioperative organisations around Gippsland. This involved honest and open reflection with a focus on using data. A review was therefore undertaken as part of the elective surgery project improvements and presented at the last meeting of the GHSP. 

Everyone agreed on the interpretation and application of “start times” to ensure consistency in the region. Data was collated providing an accurate portrayal of each site’s activity, strengths and weaknesses. Naturally, areas for improvement were identified and we have strived to ensure that they are addressed. 

Along with the work at the GHSP, the Perioperative Leadership Committee was set up at the start of the year to advance the direction of surgery at CGH. The work undertaken by the committee involved robust discussions, ideas and dare I say even disagreements, but we identified a clear direction and pathway to improve and grow the services we provide in the perioperative environment.

The fruits of our labour have resulted in CGH establishing monthly surgical consulting at Breed Street GP clinic in Latrobe Shire enabling GP’s around Gippsland to refer to our surgical service. We have collaborated with our colleagues at LRH and are undertaking surgery to assist their long waiting lists reducing waiting times and increasing our activity. We have expanded our services with ophthalmology with fortnightly, all day lists commencing in 2024 which will positively impact the lives of those with cataract concerns. We have ensured the services of a new orthopaedic surgeon and restructured our working schedule to ensure our activity is as efficient as possible. We have increased our urology service from once per month to once per fortnight and much more.

As part of our ongoing discussions at committee level, we also identified a need to address the long waiting times for orthopaedics and we have managed to ensure the services of Mr David Owen to continue the wonderful work undertaken by Mr Peter Rehfisch who is retiring after 28 years of service to the Central Gippsland community. Mr Rehfisch was ambushed by the staff and executive and given a heartfelt thank you and gift that reflected our gratitude to his work and commitment to our region.

It has truly been a year of reflection, discussion and results. We have an amazing perioperative team here at CGH that is willing to continually develop and improve, whilst accepting the new challenges we face. We may be a place that is not frequently seen or visited, you may see a glimpse of us as we are heading off to the cafeteria, but we always feel part of the greater team that is CGH for without all of you our work would not have the same results. It is true, we are better together. We are stronger together, we are more effective together. We aim to continue this ethos in 2024 as part of that greater team.

On behalf of the perioperative team we wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.