Latest news with #WesternNSWLHD
ABC News
10-08-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Robotic surgery breakthrough for whistleblower doctors at Orange Hospital
Whistleblower doctors at a major regional New South Wales hospital have secured a breakthrough after they warned of delays to cancer surgeries and screening. One of the doctors' key concerns was whether the Orange Health Service, or other health services across the local health district (LHD), would be able to continue performing certain operations because of the lack of robotic surgical equipment. Robotic surgery is now considered by some clinicians to be standard practice for some operations, such as prostate cancer. The doctors had been asking management to lead lobbying efforts for its purchase and installation, but were knocked back. The Western NSW LHD has now changed its stance. "As part of the development of the new CSP [clinical services plan], we are also reassessing the viability of delivering robotic-assisted surgical services within the district, which includes determining the best options for that type of service," LHD chief executive Mark Spittal said in a statement. A 7.30 investigation in May revealed that urgent operations at Orange Health Service (OHS) were being downgraded to avoid breaching waiting list targets. At the time the Western NSW LHD rejected the claims and said operations were not being re-categorised to prioritise waiting lists over patient care. But the NSW Health Minister Ryan Park ordered a review and called an urgent meeting with the doctors and executives from the LHD. NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce then held talks with senior clinicians in late July. "Western NSW Local Health District is following up on a range of issues raised by staff working at Orange Health Service," Mr Spittal said. Urological surgeon Clair Whelan, one of the doctors who raised concerns, said there had been great progress. "We're excited to be working with the LHD to continue to deliver gold standard surgical care," Dr Whelan said. "Rural patients deserve the same quality care as our metropolitan counterparts, without the added burden of leaving our support networks. The Australian Medical Association's (AMA) NSW branch was involved in the meetings between doctors and the minister, and welcomed the LHD's change of heart. "We think it's fantastic that more modern services like robotic surgery can be delivered by those who are skilled in that workforce … to give the patients the care closer to home and certainly in their local area," AMA NSW president Kathryn Austin said. The senior doctors had also warned the capacity of Orange Health Service was among the reasons surgeries were being postponed. "It's very important that we continue to make sure that NSW Health does everything to support the frontline doctors and nurses of our workforce, and investments in the workforce and the infrastructure in which they work needs to be a priority," Dr Austin said. "Hopefully small changes like this will show that that's what they are doing." Mr Spittal said the LHD was working to prepare a new 10-year clinical services plan for the hospital. He said it would consider whether additional beds were needed, and examine the broader health precinct to find out what was required to meet future health needs.
ABC News
28-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Cancer surgeries getting delayed at major hospital to hit waitlist targets, doctor claims
Surgeons at a major regional NSW hospital are warning patients' lives are being put at risk because of delays to cancer operations. In response to our story the NSW Health Minister's office told us that NSW Health is now reviewing the re-categorisation of surgeries undertaken at Orange Hospital. Joanna Woodburn reports for 7.30. Statement from Western NSW Local Health District.
