The 2023 provincial budget has a lot in it in terms of health care investments, but one thing that’s missing according to the NLMA are measures to address surgical backlogs.
President Dr. Kris Luscombe notes that there is funding for an orthopedic clinic to address joint replacement waitlists. However, Luscombe explains that they have been working with government over the last year to look at what he calls “significant surgical backlogs” that have grown over the last few years due in part to COVID, a lack of beds, and support services in hospitals and he didn’t see much investment into reducing those backlogs.
Probably cause they've no idea how to fix it
The Liberals never thought this through when they locked down the country for years, not surprised
My husband has been waiting 28 months for a knee replacement. This is from the time that he was assessed until now. He saw the orthopedic surgeon in January 2022. The surgeon told him he would be done in 6-7 months! Fourteen months later and he’s still waiting!
Strangely enough there is OR availability a mere 100 kms from St. John’s for routine general surgeries. I’m told that because many folks are unwilling to go to carbonear all surgeries will be cancelled on certain days. Good thing these folks don’t live in rural NL or Labrador
What will help ? More money per surgery I’m assuming ?