WA Health says the State’s private hospitals have resumed day surgeries and surgery requiring a single-night stay.
In a statement, the Department said the Chief Health Officer had made the determination as the State’s vaccination rates were keeping hospitalisations down.
“Surge capacity remains in private hospitals to be rapidly deployed if required,” WA Health said.
“These arrangements have been agreed with and supported by the private hospital chief executives,” it said.
“Patients will be advised by their treating private hospital or specialist if they will be booked in for surgery.”
The Department said there was no change to bookings at public hospitals at this stage.
Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson said while cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continued to rise week-on-week, the increase had been slower than expected.
“That means there is scope to allow private hospitals to resume short-stay elective surgeries,” Ms Sanderson said.
“We have taken an agile and planned approach to elective surgery, and will ensure some patients who require surgery can be treated as we continue to review these settings,” she said.
Ms Sanderson thanked patients for their understanding “and all our healthcare staff for their hard work and commitment”.
WA Health said the surgery schedule was being continuously reviewed based on Omicron COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalisation, and advice from the Chief Health Officer.
“There is no change to Category One bookings and the surgery schedule for these will continue as usual,” the Department said.
