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...
General His Serene Highness Prince Chalermsuk Yugala has accused Cambodia of repeatedly making false allegations of Thailand’s use of chemical weapons, warning that a coordinated campaign appears ...