Additional hip and knee surgeries to receive request for proposal

Well being Minister Paul Merriman mentioned the provincial authorities could be placing forth a request for proposal (RFP) for added hip and knee surgical procedures this summer time.

NDP opposition chief Ryan Meili introduced up a Canadian Institute for Well being Data (CIHI) report throughout Query Interval Tuesday, which lists Saskatchewan as having the worst surgical wait instances in Canada.

“[The report] confirmed that 43 per cent of Saskatchewan sufferers get their hip surgical procedures inside three months and solely 30 per cent get knee surgical procedures inside three months,” he mentioned. “It’s actually disappointing to see.”

Meili mentioned it was regarding to take a look at the CIHI report, which solely captures numbers as much as Sept. 2021 so it doesn't embrace when hospitals have been overwhelmed by COVID-19.

“I’m deeply involved about what we’re going to be seeing subsequent time we see these numbers and extra importantly, simply how lengthy persons are ready in ache when they need to be getting these surgical procedures in a well timed vogue,” mentioned Meili.

Merriman mentioned the plan to place the RFP ahead would assist deal with the surgical backlog in Sask. Nevertheless, since orthopedics are extra advanced, it's a longer course of.

“There’s the scans, there’s all of the bloodwork that needs to be completed, the precise surgical process, the restoration, the physiotherapy if wanted after,” he mentioned. “The orthopedics could be those that we actually must get tackled and that’s why we’re getting this RFP out in early summer time.”

Meili mentioned with the NDP’s earlier suggestion of a windfall revenue surcharge going in direction of affordability within the province, there may be additionally the chance to place a number of the cash in direction of addressing the surgical backlog sooner.

“It’s disappointing that the minister received’t acknowledge the issue to start with,” he mentioned. We've got the worst scenario within the nation. It’s going to require a higher funding and I don’t see us placing the extent of funding required to get us up in time.”

Merriman mentioned he is aware of there are issues however mentioned they’re near assembly their 2019 targets.

“Since Jan. 9 to April 9, we’ve been averaging about 7,300 surgical procedures, excellent round 22,000 whole which will get us near 2019 capability the place we have been averaging round 90,000 a yr,” he mentioned. “It is a good begin.”