Surgical procedures returning to 'pre-pandemic' levels in Manitoba
The taskforce aimed at reducing the surgical backlog in Manitoba says surgical procedures are consistently being performed at levels before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Surgical procedures are consistently at 2019 baselines, which means a return to pre-pandemic levels,” said David Matear, executive director of the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force, said in an update Thursday afternoon.
Matear said the volume of surgeries in Manitoba has been gradually growing in recently weeks, with the majority of surgical sites in Winnipeg between 90 and 100 per cent of operational capacity. He said most rural surgical sites have been at 100 per cent operational capacity for some time.
Matear said the province has partnered with multiple organizations to help increase the number of surgical procedures in Manitoba. He said the partnerships resulted in 11,000 procedures being completed, including endoscopies, cataract surgeries and pediatric surgeries.
However, the need for new procedures will only add to the existing backlog, Matear said.
“Until we get to that point where we have an increase capacity in the system, we're required based on the backlogs that existed prior to the pandemic,” he said. “Yes, there'll be slight increases within the backlog. But, because of the capacity of the health-care system, currently, the rate of increase of those backlogs will be minimized.”
Matear said negotiations are underway with a private partner to help address diagnostic procedures, and details will be announced in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.