A patient who has been waiting a year for surgery within the public healthcare system may soon have the option to be transferred to the private sector, with the expenses covered by the government. Health Minister Christian Dubé presented this proposal to his Cabinet colleagues in a recent briefing revealed by the Canadian Press.
Dubé’s plan aims to address the increasing wait times for surgeries, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic. Patients facing prolonged delays beyond the recommended timeframe for surgery will be offered alternatives to expedite their treatment.
Initially, attempts will be made to schedule the surgery with the patient’s original healthcare provider. If this proves unsuccessful, arrangements will be sought with other physicians within the same institution or other public hospitals. After a year of waiting, patients may be given the opportunity to consult non-participating physicians in specialized medical centers for the needed surgery, with the government covering the associated costs.
While the implementation of this process has been confirmed, details regarding the transfer to the private sector after a year of waiting remain unclear as of now. Dubé emphasizes that utilizing the private sector for surgeries is a temporary measure aimed at reducing wait times and enhancing overall healthcare access.
The move towards leveraging private clinics for certain surgeries without additional costs to patients reflects the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services in Canada.
Keyphrase: healthcare access improvements
