Meili hoping for reduced wait times in province

Aug 17, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili is concerned about overall wait time delays across the province in emergency rooms and for surgeries.

Meili visited North Battleford Aug. 14 as part of his cross-province tour.

He said in general he believes the province isn’t fulfilling its promise on the issue of reducing wait times.

“Wait times in particular in emergency rooms but also for surgery have continued to rise over the last years,” Meili said. “We had a government that made a commitment to eliminate wait times in emergency and instead they have continued to increase in recent years.”

Meili also discussed the NDP’s goal to see a universal program for access to prescription medications, which would benefit those facing financial difficulties.

When it comes to health care we certainly want to build on the strengths of our existing Medicare system that sees patients based on their need, not on their ability to pay,” he said. “That’s a core principle for New Democrats; we want to build on that.”

Meili said people who need medications who don’t have coverage often have to make the decision about whether they will pay for their prescription, or pay for groceries or rent instead.

“We really want to see a pharmacare program in Canada. That’s something we are pushing for,” Meili said. 

On the issue of wait times, in response the province said it is still focused on reducing waits. 

“Emergency Room wait times continue to be a priority for our government,” spokesperson Joan Petrie for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health wrote in an email. “Strategies such as Connected Care, which emphasizes a team-based approach to help ensure patients receive care when and where they need it, including in the community and in home-based services will help in reducing emergency department visits and hospital stays.”

According to the Ministry, the 2018-19 Ministry of Health Plan stated the target is to reduce emergency department waits by 35 per cent (from the 2013-14 baseline) by March 31, 2019. 

When addressing surgical wait times, the spokesperson said the province has seen increased “access to surgery.” She added among the challenges, the population is aging and continuing to grow, and more people require surgery.

The ministry also indicated more ER patients have required surgery which impacts elective scheduled surgeries as a result. As well, the spokesperson said more people have been added to the waiting list because more surgeons are now practising in Saskatchewan, providing their services.

“While the year-over-year data shows a slight increase, it is important to also note since 2007, the number of patients waiting more than three months has decreased by 39 per cent and the number waiting more than six months has decreased by 59 per cent,” Petrie said.

 

Angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW