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Ambulatory Surgery Initiative  

About Us

What is the Ambulatory Surgery Initiative (ASI)?

The ASI is an innovative program that allows doctors to do additional work in hospitals with public services in order to improve patient access to minor procedures. Procedures done under the ASI are bulk billed, and incur no out-of-pocket expenses for the patient. Eligible procedures are those that have a CMBS non-admitted patient code. As a guide, the following procedures are currently being performed under ASI:

  • Colonoscopies and Gastroscopies
  • Cataract extraction
  • Cystoscopies
  • Minor gynaecological procedures such as LLETZ procedures
  • Minor general surgery such as removal of lesions

The aims of the Initiative are to:

  • Reduce wait lists,
  • Reduce patient waiting time, and
  • Increase clinical throughput.

This initiative is delivering faster treatment for patients in Western Australia (WA), who have been, or could be, waiting for surgery for more than clinically desirable periods of time.

Those patients, who are ready for surgery, can now be offered the option of having their procedure done at an earlier date, at one of the participating hospitals by being directly referred by their GP to a participating clinician. Patients must be willing to elect to be a private outpatient.

For more information regarding the ASI please see the information package.

Who is suitable for treatment under the ASI?

The Ambulatory Surgery Initiative is for low-risk patients. In general, the patient will:

  • be under 75 years of age,
  • not have significant co-morbidities, and
  • be under 120 kg (for suitability of equipment at general hospital day facilities).

The clinician undertaking the procedure may be consulted to consider the suitability of a particular patient in relation to their age and general health outside of the above criteria.

Where are ASI patients treated?

Treatment of patients under the ASI is not limited by residential boundaries. General practitioners can refer patients to any of the participating ASI specialists. However, it may be more convenient for patients to be treated close to where they live.

Obtain an Information Sheet for a prospective patient.

For a list of participating specialists in each ASI hospital please see the Locality Guide.

What can the GPs do?

To initiate a referral, simply Click on Referral Form on the Menu, complete the Search options, make your choice, complete the referral information on the form that comes up and print out the form.

Disclaimer

The ASI information on this website is consistent with the framework and prinicples of the Australian Health Care Agreement 2003-2008 and the Hospital Insurance Act 1973 (C'mth). The Department of Health will not be liable for any amendments, omissions or distortions to this information which might occur through an individual act, that compromises this.