E3: Reducing waiting times for community and outpatient services: A data driven approach

Tuesday 26 July 2022 | 13:15-14:30


Format: Workshop 
Stream: Quality, Cost, Value
Content filters: tbc


Excessive and inequitable waiting times for outpatient and community services lead to poorer health outcomes, anxiety, and reduced engagement with services. Long waiting lists leading to delays in care are often considered to be the result of a disparity between demand and supply. They have developed a data-driven, evidence-based model for managing demand known as Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT) that has been shown to reduce, or even eliminate, waiting lists.  This workshop will introduce service providers to a practical, step by step approach for tackling this enormous challenge in the delivery of outpatient and community health services.


After this session, participants will be able to:



  • Understand the theoretical principles of the STAT model

  • Describe the evidence for the effectiveness of STAT in reducing waiting time and the steps required for implementation

  • Make an informed choice about the applicability of STAT for their health service


Katherine Harding, Eastern Health; Australia


Annie Lewis, Eastern Health; Australia


Nicholas Taylor, La Trobe University, Eastern Health; Australia