(Quebec) Dissatisfied with progress, Minister Christian Dubé is showing signs of annoyance at the increasing number of surgeries “out of time” in oncology. He asks medical specialists to present him with “a specific plan” for remedial action.
“I don’t like the results we have at the moment,” said the Minister of Health in response to the Liberal MP for Pontiac, André Fortin. The Liberal health critic was hot on the heels of the minister’s list of patients waiting for oncology surgery, which continues to grow.
“Last April, the minister presented us with figures where there were 400 patients out of time for cancer surgery and he told us that this was his priority. In November, he presented us with figures where there were 600 overdue patients and he told us that this was his priority. Today, he presents us with figures where there are 748 oncology patients out of time and he tells us again that this is his priority, ”unchecked Mr. Fortin.
“The good thing, if there’s a good thing in that, is that at least we agree on the numbers,” retorted Minister Dubé at the Blue Room.
Christian Dubé explained that work is continuing with the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ) to find solutions, like what was done by the emergency crisis unit. But the progress made so far does not satisfy him. Institutions where the volume of out-of-time surgeries is higher have also been targeted by the Ministry.
“I asked the Dr Oliva [Vincent, président de la FMSQ] to come back to me with a specific plan,” said the Minister. “We had successes in emergencies because everyone started working together. There is a balance between surgeries and emergencies. Now they have to demonstrate to me that they can execute a plan on surgeries just as well,” he continued.
I have already said: I cannot operate for them. I would love to do it, but I don’t have that skill.
Christian Dubé, Minister of Health
Christian Dubé explains that the delays are on the rise, among other things, because the months of January and February are “the worst” for catching up, in particular because of the increased traffic in the emergency room during this period. “There is a slowdown in the operating rooms. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it is, ”he added in the House.
Doctors “are extremely mobilized”, assures the FMSQ
“Specialists are extremely mobilized to reduce waiting lists. However, we must consider that they do not have control over access to operating rooms, ”reacted Thursday the Dr Vincent Oliva in an emailed statement.
During an interview conducted in mid-January, the FMSQ explained to The Press that specialist doctors are available, but that their means remain limited due to the shortage of personnel. “It’s still quite a headache to reduce these waiting lists there”, underlined the Dr Olive.
“Operating theaters are still operating in slow motion. In the metropolitan area, the blocks operate on average at 70% of their capacity, ”he illustrated.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, PRESS ARCHIVES
The Dr Vincent Oliva
COVID was a catalyst, it precipitated this crisis [de ressources humaines]. COVID is no longer a significant factor, but we are still suffering the consequences because it has created a certain exodus [des travailleurs].
The Dr Vincent Oliva, President of the FMSQ
One solution on the table would be to at least extend the operating hours of operating theaters during the day. The FMSQ also pleads for more local management of operations to determine applicable and realistic solutions in each environment.
“If we are asked for an overall increase in our performance […] and that we keep exactly the same technical platforms, without increasing them in terms of the number of hours of availability, although we are probably being asked to do the impossible”, also expressed the vice-president of the FMSQ, Dr.r Serge Legault.
The Legault government wants to work twice as hard to catch up in particular with operations that have been pending for more than 12 months. The list is around 20,000 people. In April 2022, Christian Dubé said he wanted to return to the pre-pandemic level, still for surgeries pending for a year, by April 2023. This level was around 3000 before the health crisis.
As of December 31, 20,649 patients remained on the waiting list for 12 months, according to the Department of Health and Human Services dashboard.