Province aims to reduce surgical wait times with $10M investment

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $10 million to cut down surgical wait times.

“I read the personal letters from people waiting for surgery and cardiac procedures, and I assure you that reducing the length of time people wait for their procedures is a priority for our government,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said in a media release Wednesday.

“We are committed to improving wait times, and this investment is a positive step in that direction.”

The government said approximately 1,700 surgeries will be performed before the end of March 2020. These surgeries include those for cataracts, hip and knee replacements, gynecological surgeries, dental, and ear-nose-throat procedures.

As well, the government plans to increase Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) cardiac procedures by 60 per cent, with the number to reach 80 this year.

To meet the government’s targets, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will increase surgical hours in hospitals and will increase the use of third-party facilities.

“We welcome the announcement of this additional funding to reduce surgical wait times in Saskatchewan,” SHA provincial head of surgery Dr. Ivar Mendez said in the release. “As surgeons, we feel it is crucial to provide timely surgical care to the people of Saskatchewan.”

The government said the majority of surgeries will be done in Regina and Saskatoon, which have some of the longest wait times in the province. Increases also will be seen in Lloydminster, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw.

According to the province, wait times have increased because more patients have needed surgery, not because of a decrease in the number of surgeries being performed in Saskatchewan.