“Crumbs” to reduce waiting times in surgery

Photo Martin Alarie
Gaétan Barrette

Axel Marchand-Lamothe

Sunday, 11 February, 2018 21:41

UPDATE
Sunday, 11 February, 2018 21:41

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The announcement by the minister of Health to add$ 8.6 Million to reduce wait times for surgeries and access to examinations remains a modest step forward according to the Council of protection of patients.

“It is commendable, but it has cut 1 billion over four years in the health network. What we cut down, we give one for crumbs, ” says Paul Brunet, president of the organization.

Sunday, Gaétan Barrette unveiled a package of$ 8.6 Million from the surplus of his ministry to be used before the 31st of march.

This money is available for all the establishments of the Quebec health and will only be used to perform surgical procedures, diagnostic services and cardiology.

“The message is launched to the authorities, there is an opportunity, you must seize it “, said the minister of Health.

100 000 patients waiting

Thus, a sum of$ 2.5 M would allow to perform 1000 surgical operations by the month of April.

Currently in Quebec, more than 100,000 people are waiting to go under the knife according to ministry data.

“This is not a response to a situation of crisis, but to a need of the population,” said Dr. Barrette.

“This money will reduce waiting lists where they were a few months ago hardly,” said for his part Mr. Brunet.

In addition to surgical procedures,$ 2 Million has been allocated for diagnostic procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging, radiology, and endoscopy.

Finally,$ 4.1 Million is added specifically for cardiology departments, where more than 1,000 patients are still waiting to be operated across the province.

“This is not new money. It is very small compared to the promises that have been made “, concludes Paul Brunet.

Patients… patients

• 103 627 patients waiting in Quebec
• 15 022 waiting for more than 6 months
• The 8.7 weeks of waiting time on average

Source : ministry of Health, 6th January