State Hospitals Failing to Reduce Wait Times Despite Lull in Patients During COVID-19: Doctors’ Association

Emergency medical staff and Callum Cherrett Cardiology AT (C) treat a patient with suspected heart issues in the Emergency Department of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia, on June 04, 2020. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Australians can expect longer wait times when they next visit hospital, even if they need urgent surgery, according to a new report card from Australia’s leading medical union.

Dr. Omar Khorshid, president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), said that despite a drop in patient volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital system’s performance did not improve.