Trail Talking

Our government is on the right path with our health-care improvements, and our plan is working. We are keeping our promise to Manitobans by delivering better care sooner.

Our investment of more than $5.3 million to significantly increase the number of hip, knee and cataract surgeries in 2019 will reduce wait times for these procedures, as we ensure at least an additional 1,000 hip and knee operations and at least 2,000 more cataract surgeries in this new year.

We have reduced MRI wait times by 30 per cent, and are investing strategically to make a real difference for Manitoba patients with hip, knee and cataract procedures. These improvements are based on the recommendations of experts. Our Wait Times Reduction Task Force had recommended steps to improve wait times for these surgeries as well as for MRIs. Instead of only throwing money at the health-care system, we are making changes based on clinical planning and evidence-based practices.

The increase in cataract surgeries and in knee and hip replacements comes as we streamline and better co-ordinate health services, using innovative methods to improve care. The innovations include cataract surgeries using freezing rather than sedation to patients who meet clinical criteria, same-day hip surgeries to reduce long hospital stays, and a hip and knee clinic to decrease the number of people referred for surgery.

We have taken these steps after Manitobans experienced delays and difficulties in accessing health-care services for far too long. In the past, patients in Manitoba waited longer than all others in Canada for cataract surgeries, averaging more than 289 days. Manitobans also waited an average of 348 days for a hip replacement and 412 days for a knee replacement at that time, ranking our province eighth of 10 in wait times for both procedures.

We need to do much better than that, and we are. With our government’s health system transformation, we are increasing capacity, reducing wait times and improving outcomes for patients. As well, we are ensuring the system’s sustainability with consistent care and better access for Manitoba families.

Health care will remain a priority for us as we continue this legislative session. Now that the Legislative Assembly is into its winter break, though, I’m looking forward to spending more time during the next couple of months in the Dawson Trail constituency attending and participating in events, talking to constituents and getting out and about in our area’s communities.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and I wish residents of Dawson Trail and all Manitobans the best in the New Year.