Wait times for necessary surgery in Nova Scotia second highest in country
Posted Nov 24, 2016 05:16:51 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Wait times for necessary procedures are up across the country, especially in Atlantic Canada.
That according to a report released Wednesday by the Fraser Institute, which found on average Canadians wait 20 weeks from the time they are referred to a specialist to when they undergo surgery.
In Nova Scotia, that number jumps to 34 weeks, second only to New Brunswick for highest in the country.
That is a complex problem, according to Nova Scotia’s Health Minister Leo Glavine, particularly because of the rapidly again population.
“Over 1000 Nova Scotians now turn 65 every month,” Glavine told Global News. “I’m hearing from cardiologists, I’m hearing from oncologists, those dealing with multiple chronic diseases, COPD, diabetes – their numbers are increasing as our population is aging.”
The Fraser Institute’s report shows the average wait time between referral and meeting a specialist is now 17 weeks, and another 17 until having a procedure done. The institute pegs a reasonable time for that wait at 11 weeks.
“When our government started out we knew we had a steep hill to climb,” said Glavine.
The minister said more work will be done as the government goes forward in an effort to bring the numbers down.
