Elective surgery wait times balloon to record high across Australia, data shows

Nearly one in 10 patients are waiting longer than a year to be admitted, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Elective surgery wait times are at their highest level on record, while nearly one in two patients are spending more than the recommended time in emergency departments, new data shows.

The Australian Medical Association on Wednesday released figures on public hospital performance from July 2022 to June 2023 that it said paints a grim picture" of hospitals struggling more than ever.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup