Each year approximately 200,000 patients have elective procedures/surgery in New South Wales public hospitals. Patients are placed on a waiting list and given a clinical priority depending on the seriousness of their condition. Managing elective surgery patients and waiting lists is a key priority for the NSW Government and NSW Health.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were temporary suspensions of non-urgent elective surgeries to ensure there was sufficient staffing and hospital bed capacity in New South Wales to meet COVID-19 related demand. This audit may examine how NSW Health manages the public elective surgery waitlist, and could include a focus on the impact on patient health caused by the suspension of elective surgery during COVID-19.