IHA funding shortfall will reduce surgeries
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Updated: August 25, 2009 11:07 AM
Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald says a budget shortfall of $40 million disclosed in media reports last week by IHA Chief Executive Officer Murray Ramsden will mean a reduction in surgical procedures in the health region.
Macdonald says a $12 million reduction in the health authority’s clinical budget and $28 million in administrative cuts will translate into an estimated 10 per cent reduction in surgeries.
He lists hip and knee replacements, cataract surgeries, hernia repairs and carpal tunnel procedures as examples of surgeries that will be affected.
“Our health system is already under tremendous pressure and patients were already being forced to wait longer and travel further for necessary care,” says Macdonald. “This further cut could, by conservative estimate, result in 5,000 fewer surgeries in this health region between now and March 2010.”
Citing a number of media reports from before and after the May 12 provincial election, Macdonald says prior to the election the government assured that there wouldn’t be cuts to health care, but has since change its tune.
“We’ve been promised health care when and where we need it,” said Macdonald. “During the last election, Premier Campbell promised that there would not be cuts to health care. Clearly, there was no intention on behalf of this government to keep that promise and rural residents are going to feel the effects of the Premier’s duplicity most strongly.”
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