The C-E-O for the Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance says the announcement by the Province of a web site that now provides information on wait times for surgeries and procedures throughout the Province is a vast improvement over what has been available in the past.
Andrew Williams explains wait times have been available on a web site for some time but only focused on the time between the surgeon stated that a hip or knee replacement was necessary and when the surgery actually took place. Williams says the updated web site indicates the time from the visit to the family doctor to see the specialist and then the time from that visit to the actual surgery.
Williams adds the web site underlines the fact that people do have the right, and are encouraged, to shop around for the best wait times and he adds the more people take advantage of that the more wait times are likely to reduced all over the Province and that's the end goal.
“What's out now is a more robust assessment of waits, so if I see my family doctor, who long does it take me from my family doctor visit to see the specialist and then the specialist to the OR. So it's a more comprehensive program now that I think provides better information.”
“And that is absolutely within their right. Hopefully with this information being as visible and transparent it's going to have a positive impact on reducing waits everywhere and that's really what we want to try and do is to improve access to the system regardless of where you live.”