Surgical teams getting patients through the operating room faster

SASKATOON – Surgical teams across Saskatchewan have continued their effort to improve outcomes for patients by providing surgeries sooner.

The latest wait time numbers show that 79 per cent of patients having their surgery within three months of referral and 91 per cent within six months.

According to the ministry of health, as of June 30, there were 6,030 patients waiting more than three months for surgery.

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“We still have a lot of work ahead but we are committed to shorter wait times and improved quality of life for patients,” said Health Minister Dustin Duncan.

Nine out of 10 health regions, including the Saskatoon Health Region, provided surgeries to over 90 per cent of their patients within six months.

There were over 15,000 patients waiting over three months for surgery when the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative was launched in April 2010. The initiative is striving to ensure that by April 2014, all patients have the option to receive surgery within three months.

The provincial government has committed $70.5 million to improve access to surgery in the 2013-14 fiscal year.