A NATIONAL benchmark for elective surgery waiting times has been lowered at Monash Medical Centre under a State Government agreement with the hospital.
In the hospital's Statement of Priorities 2008-09, co-signed by Health Minister Daniel Andrews, the benchmark for semi-urgent elective surgery patients receiving treatment within 90 days was reduced to 77per cent
from the 80per cent national benchmark.
The lowered benchmark would allow an extra 30 patients a wait of more than 90 days.
Opposition health spokeswoman Helen Shardey said the new benchmarks were a "disgraceful admission of failure" by the Government.
"Fancy lowering the benchmarks instead of providing hospitals with beds to ensure they reach national benchmarks - it's shameful.
"It is no wonder our hospitals are in crisis when Daniel Andrews prefers to lower the bar rather than uphold the standards Victorians deserve."
Government spokesman Michael Sinclair denied the bar had been lowered for MMC,
saying each hospital faced "its own local pressures", which he said was reflected in the statement of priorities.
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