VICTORIA recorded a record-breaking year from healthcare workers, delivering more planned surgeries than ever last year.
More Victorians received care sooner, with a massive 218,000 planned surgeries completed in 2025/26.
It marks the third consecutive record-breaking year across the state’s public hospitals.
Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt visited the Northern Hospital to thank the dedicated team who contributed to this milestone.
At Northern Health, almost 12,000 surgeries were delivered, beating the health service’s own target.
Their strong performance was supported by a range of measures, including expanding same day surgeries and improving patient discharge practices.
Innovative approaches to common surgeries like gallstones are also helping to improve patient outcomes and get them home sooner.
This year’s statewide success is driven by Victoria’s Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint.
The Blueprint is shortening wait times, freeing up theatre and bed capacity and delivering care sooner by expanding non-surgical alternatives, increasing same day surgeries, establishing 28 Patient Support Units statewide andboosting capacity through dedicated facilities including Rapid Access Hubs and Public Surgical Centres.
Ms Stitt said Victoria were leaders in the industry.
“Victoria is leading the country when it comes to planned surgery and it’s thanks to our incredible health workforce,” she said.
Outgoing State Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio said it was a tribute to workers at Northern Health.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our amazing health workers here at the Northern Hospital,” she said.
