The Project hosts blast state governments over 'awful' Covid rule

The Project hosts slammed state governments on Sunday night for freezing elective surgeries that could actually save lives as the Omicron outbreak continues to surge through the east coast of Australia.

NSW, Queensland and Victoria have all paused category three elective surgeries to alleviate some of the strain on healthcare systems, however, it has left nearly 57,000 Aussies facing year-long wait times for operations that may save their lives.

Some of the operations that are unable to continue include neurological procedures, gall bladder removal, knee and hip replacements, and hernia, ear, nose, and throat surgeries.

The Project spoke with two women who are suffering and desperate for surgeries, with fears they may not survive the wait.

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Helen Theo shared her story, revealing she has a brain aneurysm that has doubled in size, however, her surgery to have it removed was cancelled the day before it was scheduled.

"I’m worried that it might be another year before they actually call me up to get it done," she told the cameras. "And I’m worried about, you know, am I going to make it another year?

"Is it going to rupture? Am I going to die? Am I going to be paralysed? It feels like they’re playing with my life."

She added, "What, do I need to cry on national TV to get my point across? It’s black and white. This is brain surgery."

The show also spoke with Imogen Kars, who is suffering from debilitating carpal tunnel syndrome, causing pain, numbness and tingling in her hands and arms.

Imogen worries that without surgery she may lose her hands and, as a result, her job.

"I’m a journalist, so my life and my role is my hands and without those I’d lose my job. I also am starting to really struggle with just basic living," she shared.

"It even hurts to wipe after the toilet. It hurts to wash my hair or to feed my cats."

She described the wait times as "disastrous".

"It’s awful. It’s not just headlines," she said. "It’s our real lives and it’s not just a story. It’s my life."

Dr Sally Langley from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons also shared that there are numerous specialist private surgeons who cannot be reassigned to work with Covid sufferers and are unable to work.

"Private hospitals, day surgery and smaller hospitals are idle with surgeons and staff at home waiting to restart work and available at any time to recommence elective surgery," she explained.

"'Elective' makes it so easy to dismiss as this idea of something that somebody chose to do," host Rachel Corbett said. "And so it's completely fine, whenever it happens. 'It's my choice', but things like carpal tunnel, a brain aneurysm, a gallbladder removal, hernia operation, all of these kinds of things that conjure up so much pain and can impact your life immeasurably, and if you don't get the help, then all of a sudden you don't know what is around the corner... that doesn't feel elective."

Lisa Wilkinson urged governments to use "common sense" and work together to utilise all facets of the health system.

"It sounds like the hospital system and the various state governments making the decisions aren’t talking to each other in an effective way that means that these people who are desperate for surgery, that their surgery isn’t going ahead for that very reason," she said. "How can doctors be sitting at the home doing nothing?"

Hamish MacDonald agreed, "Obviously everyone in the health system is doing everything with best intent and there’s tonnes of people in the system who are being repurposed to deal with covid, but that’s not every case.

"And there are clearly theatres in hospitals that are not being used for this sort of stuff. Doctors, nurses, that are not being used for this stuff, that possibly could be."

Elective surgeries in NSW and QLD were suspended in early January to free up space for Covid patients and will resume from mid-February and March 1, respectively.

In Victoria, however, the ban will remain in place for three months with the state initially including IVF procedures in the ban. This was overturned due to public outcry.

The number of patients waiting for surgeries has reached almost 57,000 since the ban and will continue to rise.

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