Elective Surgery Waitlists ‘Blow Out’ to Near COVID Peak in NSW

Data showed a 220.8 percent increase in patients waiting longer than clinically recommended for elective surgery.

A New South Wales ambulance paramedic transports a patient to the Emergency Department of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia on June 4, 2020. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Elective surgery wait times in New South Wales (NSW) have surged to levels last seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking criticism from the Opposition.

The Liberal and National Party said the health system was under “unprecedented strain” with more than 800,000 emergency department presentations.