Surgery backlogs could cost country over $1.3 billion

OTTAWA (660 NEWS) — As the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on many aspects of life around Canada, a preliminary price tag is being put on the cost of delayed surgeries.

A report commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association estimated that it will cost over $1.3 billion to deal with only six types of backlogged surgeries.

Along with the staggering costs now faced by provinces, the report says it would take many weeks to get wait times back to pre-pandemic levels for bypass operations, cataracts, hip replacements, knee replacements, MRI scans and CT scans.

“Moreover, if this backlog isn’t addressed,” said CMA President Dr. Ann Collins, “wait times could be the worst that they’ve ever been in Canadian health care history.”

The analysis considered the volume and the cost of the backlog associated with the pandemic and the investment that would be needed in order to return to pre-pandemic wait times within one year.

Collins says there were already problems with the system before the pandemic, particularly considering wait times, so this will end up causing the issue to balloon in the long run.

“Let’s be clear, it would take a lot more money to address the inefficiencies or deficiencies that are in the system already.”

While most of these operations would be classified as non-emergency, another long term cost has to be considered as well if patients do not get the help they need.

“These people are living with chronic pain, as a result, it affects their mobility. Of course, as we all know, if our mobility is affected we become weaker and probably less able to perhaps live independently,” said Collins.

Alberta ranks fourth on the list of provinces requiring the most amount of funding, trailing Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Prince Edward Island, however, needs the largest percentage increase in funding in order to manage the issue.

Collins says the CMA has been asking for help from the federal government and stressing the need for different innovations in order to bring down wait times and spark a recovery in the system. But the CMA does not believe privatization can be key, similar to what the Alberta government is leaning towards by contracting out some procedures.

“Everyone should have ability to access care regardless of their ability to pay. So, the CMA believes that the government needs to ensure that the system is well-funded,” said Collins.

The CMA is also calling for a one-time Health Care and Innovation Fund in order to resume normal operations and bolster public health capacity.

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