Most common hospital procedures in regional Victoria

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NEW DATA REVEALS MOST COMMON HOSPITAL PROCEDURE ACROSS REGIONAL VICTORIA

Published 27 May 2026

New data reveals most common hospital procedure across regional Victoria

Regional Victorians are overwhelmingly accessing one key procedure, with new GMHBA claims data¹ revealing gastrointestinal endoscopy was the most common hospital procedure for Bendigo, Ballarat, Mildura, Geelong, Warrnambool and Gippsland members over the past 12 months.

The data provides a unique snapshot of health priorities in regional communities, and underscores the growing focus on early detection, particularly ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month this June.

Gastrointestinal endoscopies, which include colonoscopies, play a critical role in detecting bowel cancer early, often before symptoms appear. With bowel cancer remaining one of the most diagnosed cancers in Australia², health experts say the findings highlight a promising shift towards proactive screening and investigation.

Dr Anthony Poole, who practices at GMHBA’s South Barwon Medical Centre, said GPs continue to stress the importance of early intervention and participation in the free National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

“Bowel cancer can develop without symptoms or family history, making screening vital even for those who feel well. It is a leading cause of cancer death, claiming more lives than breast, skin or prostate cancer, with risk increasing with age³,” he said.

“Seeing gastrointestinal endoscopy as the top procedure in each of these six regions tells us more people are taking digestive health seriously and acting early.”

When detected early, around 90%⁴ of cases can be successfully treated, contributing to an increase in specialist referrals for colonoscopies. These procedures not only help detect cancer but also diagnose conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and enable the removal of pre-cancerous polyps.

The new data coincides with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a national campaign encouraging Australians to understand their risk, screen regularly and speak to their GP if they notice any changes.

Common symptoms⁵of bowel cancer can include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss, but many cases present with no noticeable symptoms at all.

“This is a timely reminder for people across regional Victoria to not ignore symptoms and to participate in screening programs when eligible,” Dr Poole said.

Top 5 hospital procedure claims for GMHBA Members from 01/04/2025 - 30/04/2026

Geelong

PHI Clinical Category	Claim Count
Gastrointestinal endoscopy	15,153
Heart and vascular system	11,324
Digestive system	8,286
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer	6,928
Kidney and bladder	5,488

Ballarat

PHI Clinical Category	Claim Count
Gastrointestinal endoscopy	1,974
Heart and vascular system	1,818
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer	1,457
Digestive system	1,441
Skin	1,260

Bendigo

PHI Clinical Category	Claim Count
Gastrointestinal endoscopy	1,314
Heart and vascular system	795
Rehabilitation	717
Digestive system	558
Brain and nervous system	468

Gippsland

PHI Clinical Category	Claim Count
Gastrointestinal endoscopy	523
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer	369
Heart and vascular system	326
Brain and nervous system	150
Joint replacements	148

Mildura

PHI Clinical Category	Claim Count
Gastrointestinal endoscopy	86
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer	64
Digestive system	44
Heart and vascular system	25
Lung and chest	23

Warrnambool

PHI Clinical Category	Claim Count
Gastrointestinal endoscopy	1,106
Rehabilitation	787
Heart and vascular system	721
Joint replacements	460
Bone, joint and muscle	392

Melbourne

PHI Clinical Category	Claim Count
Gastrointestinal endoscopy	19,309
Heart and vascular system	10,175
Digestive system	9,148
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer	8,485
Rehabilitation	5,671