Recommendations

Provide incentives for surgeons to operate in the public system and/or for hospitals to provide BR services. Provide designated BR theatre lists. Lobby for more realistic government reimbursement of operating time through review of Medicare item number payments for longer surgery and percentage funding of subsequent procedures (disincentive for IBR, especially LD flaps). Consider bundling of BR-related surgical and postoperative costs. Lobby private health funds for recognition of BR as part of breast cancer treatment (not cosmetic) and for higher reimbursement of BR-related costs. Lobby industry for lower costs for implants, mesh etc. Improve waiting list management. Encourage breast cancer clinicians to collect BR data to provide an evidence-base for quality assurance and improvement and to advocate for more funding.