Tamworth private hospital: Tamara Private Hospital surgeons prepare for post COVID-19 elective surgery boom after restrictions

Ramsay Health Care owns Tamara Private Hospital (TPH) in Tamworth where doctors and surgeons are prepared for an influx of overdue elective surgery procedures.

The hospital is ramping up toward 100 per cent of its elective surgery capacity, TPH chief executive Mary Single said.

"This is good news for the people in our community who have been waiting patiently for the green light to undergo various non-urgent elective procedures," she said.

"This return to normal activity levels is a positive step forward, but we still need to be mindful of the crucial need for all of us to continue to practise social distancing.

"We will also be closely monitoring our personal protective equipment supplies, undertaking extra cleaning and continuing to screen all patients, visitors, staff and doctors at our entry point."

All elective surgeries except the most urgent were put on hold in March to free up capacity in public and private hospitals to deal with an expected rush of COVID-19 patients.

Eligibility checks dropped to 50 per cent of their normal levels in the height of the crisis but vital care for pregnancies and cancers never stopped.

By June 27, eligibility checks for heart, gastrointestinal procedures, psychiatric, bone, joint and muscle problems had all recovered to above 100 per cent, according to data from Members Health.

Before the outbreak, public hospitals had consistent yearly increases in the length of time and volume of people who were on waiting lists for important elective surgeries.

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Members Health chief executive Matthew Koce said analysts have predicted public hospital wait times will balloon post-pandemic.

"It's important that Australians continue to see their specialist or GP, and get quick access to healthcare," he said.

"Many conditions requiring elective surgery can be disabling, painful and even life-threatening.

"Delayed access to care can result in dependence on opioid pain killers, increased complexity of surgery down the track and trigger all sorts of other health issues that further impact quality of life."