54 per cent of postponed surgeries completed in Northern Health: Steady gains in surgical renewal plan

VICTORIA–54 per cent of postponed surgeries have been completed in the Northern Health Authority, through B.C.’s Surgical Renewal Plan, according to the latest information from the Ministry of Health.

Non-urgent scheduled surgeries were postponed back in March due to the pandemic, a move to ensure space in hospitals to address COVID-19 patient needs. In the Northern Health Authority, 712 surgeries were postponed and 386 have been completed from May through June 23.

“Our first report from May to June showed that we were making steady gains in the surgical renewal plan with a promising trajectory…This remains true today, despite now facing down an increase in COVID-19 cases. We are almost back to our regular timelines for surgeries, with more British Columbians getting the needed surgeries to resume their lives.”–Adrian Dix, B.C. Health Minister

Starting May 7, health authorities made calls to patients on waitlists to see if they were ready and willing to have their surgeries rescheduled. From May 7 through August 23, 85,345 patients were contacted.