By Henrietta Cook
Publication Date: 2026-05-28 09:30:00
People in Victoria state will have to wait up to four years to access specialist care in the state’s public hospitals, triggering a reform of the state government that is creating regional waiting lists and using AI to flag urgent cases.
Under the changes, outlined in a new Health Department report, more specialist appointments would be shifted to nurses to take pressure off doctors.
Examination appointments deemed unnecessary would also be shortened to improve access for more vulnerable patients, and virtual care would be expanded.
The plan is in response to an unprecedented influx of patients seeking public specialist care, triggered by the cost of living crisis and rising private doctor fees.
The report highlighted the case of a four-year-old who suffered more than 12…