Manitoba establishes task force to deal with diagnostic and surgical backlogs
The Manitoba government is establishing a task force that will help address the province’s diagnostic and surgical backlogs.
Health Minister Audrey Gordon made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday, saying the task force will identify the priority of needs of patients and implement local and out-of-province services as a temporary measure.
“The task force steering committee and the project team will identify the most impactful strategies to make further strides in providing Manitobans with access to the safest and most timely care possible,” the health minister said.
The task force includes health-care professional and experts from across the country, who have already started working to implement solutions to deal with wait lists.
The province said these solutions include:
- Creating a centralized information management system for health-care providers that will include surgical and diagnostic wait list information to streamline when and where surgeries and tests can be done;
- Ensuring health-care professionals are working to the full scope of their practice;
- Providing monthly updates to ensure Manitobans receive timely, consistent and transparent information;
- Negotiating agreements with specialized health-care providers both inside and outside of the province who can increase the number of surgeries and services performed; and
- Finding patients who are ready for their procedures and can travel to other jurisdictions where it could be performed sooner.
According to the province, the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force will include people with expertise in surgical and diagnostic services, analysis and evaluation, and project management.
“We know this work must be a top priority,” Gordon said. “In fact, the task force project leader has already begun meeting with health-care system leaders in Manitoba and looking at some of those short-term improvements that can be put in place as quickly as possible.”
Manitoba has also established a steering committee to determine the direction of the task force and to help access expertise in the health-care system. The steering committee includes doctors, nurses, and patient and citizen representatives.
Gordon noted that Dr. Peter MacDonald, a surgeon, past president of the Canadian Orthopedics Association, vice-president of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and chief innovation and research officer of the Pan Am Clinic, will be the chair of the task force.
In the New Year, the task force will release an initial report with analysis of the current situation, a summary of progress to date, and how success will be measured.
“I want to be clear, the task force begins the work from a good place,” Gordon said.
“It will build on the work that is already being done in Manitoba to address wait times and will grapple with the continued challenges on our health-care system caused by COVID-19.”
As of Tuesday, Doctors Manitoba estimated the province’s surgical and diagnostic backlog has grown to 152,000 cases.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.