MORE PROGRESS ON SURGICAL WAIT TIMES

Saskatchewan is meeting its goal of treating the province's longest waiting surgical patients, as the overall number of patients waiting continues to decline.

New surgical data updated to November 30, 2011, shows that just over 1,400 patients in Saskatchewan have waited more than 12 months for surgery - a 65 per cent drop since the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative began in April 2010. Saskatchewan has completed about 55,900 surgeries since the start of this fiscal year (April), 7.2 per cent more (about 3,780 cases) than during the same period last year.

"It's very encouraging to see the health regions' progress in reducing surgical wait times," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Patients and families clearly told us this area should be a priority. This complete, current data shows that Saskatchewan's carefully planned ‘sooner, safer, smarter' approach is paying off."

The surgical data also shows that about 21,870 patients are waiting for surgery in Saskatchewan, the fewest since the current measurement system was introduced in 2004.

By the end of 2011-12, the province's goal is to provide all patients with the opportunity to have surgery within 12 months of specialist referral. Provincially, 99 per cent of all surgeries are completed with 18 months and 96 per cent within 12 months. Of the 10 health regions that provide surgical services, six are currently achieving the 12 month goal for 100 per cent of surgeries they provide.

Since November 2007, the number of patients waiting longer than 18 months for surgery has dropped 87 per cent, the number waiting more than 12 months has dropped 73 per cent and the number waiting more than six months has declined 52 per cent. These figures represent improvements of four, five and three percentage points respectively since the previous monthly data update.

The Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative (SkSI) is the province's four-year plan to improve the surgical patient experience and provide more timely access to surgery. Its goal is to provide all patients with an opportunity to have surgery within three months by 2014. Among the projects it supports are an online directory of surgeons that helps doctors and patients choose an appropriate surgeon, surgical safety checklists in all hospital operating rooms, and new "patient pathways" for patients with hip, knee, spine, gynecological and prostate problems.

More information about the SkSI can be found at www.health.gov.sk.ca/saskatchewan-surgical-initiative. Wait time data is available at www.sasksurgery.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594