“Part and parcel” - Premier apologises for elective surgery cancellations

Premier Roger Cook has apologised to Western Australians after a number of elective surgeries were cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday, as the health system buckles under pressure.

It's understood 25 operations scheduled for Thursday were cancelled, on top of the 80 delayed on Wednesday. Premier Cook blamed a "very difficult" flu season for the challenges the health system is facing.

"We apologise for the inconvenience that comes with that, but it’s part and parcel of a health system which is, at the moment, managing one of the most severe winter flu seasons on record," Premier Cook said at a media conference, on Thursday.

He thanked patients "for their patience".