An equilibrium model of waiting times for elective surgery in the NSW public hospitals

This article studies the effects of waiting times on the demand and supply of elective surgery in NSW public hospitals. The demand and supply equations are estimated at the level of postal code areas using data on public hospital elective surgery admissions in 2004–2005, postal code area characteristics and area-level provisions of public and private hospital capacities. Empirical results imply that demand for elective surgery is affected negatively, and supply positively, by waiting time. The estimated elasticity of demand with respect to waiting time is higher in NSW than estimates reported in studies based on data from the UK National Health Service