Saskatchewan signs deal with Calgary surgical provider

Saskatchewan is planning to cut into its surgical wait list by sending people to Alberta.

The idea was first floated last August, but The Canadian Press is now reporting the provincial government has signed an agreement with private provider Canadian Surgical Solutions. Under the deal, the provincial government will spend up to $6 million to send patients to Calgary for hip and knee surgeries.

Health Minister Paul Merriman has said the contract with the Calgary facility is meant to help people get their surgeries done faster, but CUPE Local 5430 president Bashir Jalloh isn’t convinced it will reduce wait times in the long run.

He said the plan will cost the government more money, saying it is more affordable to provide surgeries in public hospitals.

Jalloh said it could also put further strains on public employees because patients returning from Calgary will need additional care.

Saskatchewan’s wait list ballooned during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the provincial government took steps in the budget to address it.

The budget contained another $42.5 million to perform 6,000 more surgeries and bring the total to be done in 2023-24 to 103,000.

That’s expected to reduce the wait list to pre-pandemic levels — getting surgery within one year from being placed on the list — by March 2024, which is one year ahead of schedule. The government’s ultimate target is still to have all surgeries done within three months.

Merriman has said that surgeries at the facility are to be publicly funded and will provide patients with choice. He also said patients choosing to receive surgery in Calgary will have to pay for travel and accommodation.

Alberta advocacy group Friends of Medicare said that could lead to a two-tiered system where those who can afford to travel get to jump the line.

— With files from The Canadian Press