Skip to Main content

22.12°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jul 21, 2020 10:25 PM -

B.C. aims to clear surgery backlog in 15 months if COVID-19 surge doesn't happen

Share On

b-c-aims-to-clear-surgery-backlog-in-15-months-if-covid-19-surge-doesnt-happen

File - Adrian Dix says 32,400 procedures were not done or not scheduled as of mid-March to retain beds that may have been needed for COVID-19 patients. (The Canadian Press)

British Columbia's health minister says the province has hired more staff and increased operating-room hours to catch up on cancelled surgeries but a significant surge in COVID-19 cases could impact recovery.

Adrian Dix says 32,400 procedures were not done or not scheduled as of mid-March to retain beds that may have been needed for COVID-19 patients.

Combined with patients already on wait lists, the number of people waiting for procedures ballooned to over 95,000.

However, Dix says over half the patients whose surgeries were cancelled in the spring had them between May 18 and June 25.

Michael Marchbank, former CEO of Fraser Health and consultant to the Health Ministry, says the backlog could be cleared in 15 months, down from the previous forecast of two years.

He says surgeries will be expedited with extended operating-room hours on evenings and weekends but ``hard work'' is ahead to make that happen.

Latest news

19-year-old-arrested-after-knife-waving-incident-in-vancouvers-granville-entertainment-district

19-Year-Old Arrested After Knife-Waving Incident in Vancouver’s Granville Entertainment District

Vancouver police have arrested a 19-year-old man after he allegedly caused a disturbance with a knife and created a sense of fear in the Granville Entertainment District. According to police, the incident occurred at around 1:50 a.m. today. An employee at a business reportedly saw the man flipping over tables and displaying a knife toward people passing by. When the employee attempted to intervene, the suspect became angry and began striking the business’s sign with the knife. The employee then backed away and called police. Officers arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect just two blo

canada-announces-34-million-in-climate-funding-for-communities

CanadaAug 12, 2026

Canada Announces $34 Million in Climate Funding for Communities

The federal government has announced $34 million in funding to help communities across Canada deal with the impacts of climate change. The funding will support municipalities and local organizations in launching projects aimed at reducing the risks posed by natural disasters such as floods, wildfires and extreme heat. Federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin announced the funding in Halifax today, acknowledging that Canada’s climate is changing and that communities need to be better prepared for its impacts. According to Dabrusin, the funding will support 141 climate-related projects acro

early-morning-shooting-in-surreys-cloverdale-leaves-one-injured

Early Morning Shooting in Surrey’s Cloverdale Leaves One Injured

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an early morning shooting in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighbourhood that left one adult male with a minor, non-life-threatening injury. Police responded at approximately 3:52 a.m. on August 12 to reports of a shooting near a residence in the area of 60 Avenue and 177 Street. Two people were reportedly shot at, with one person sustaining a minor injury that did not require medical treatment. The suspects fled the scene. SPS’s Major Crime Section has taken over the investigation, while forensic officers are processing physical and digital evidence in t

American Doctors Move to B.C. Amid Eased Licensing Rules

British Columbia’s simplified licensing rules are attracting American doctors, with some moving to the province with their families. Two doctors have recently settled in the remote coastal community of Pender Harbour and are now providing services at the local health centre. The area had long struggled with a shortage of doctors, with only one part-time physician serving more than 500 residents. Among the new arrivals are Dr. Leo Bay, who moved from Utah, and Dr. Derek Williams, a Montana physician with 25 years of experience. Both are now providing permanent medical services to thousands of

CanadaAug 12, 2026

Two Surveys Raise Concerns Over Canada’s Trade and Jobs

Two recent surveys on Canada’s trade outlook have raised concerns about the impact on small businesses and employment. A survey released Wednesday by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says small Canadian exporters could face a revenue loss of at least 50 per cent if a new 50-per-cent tariff is imposed. Meanwhile, a separate survey conducted by Oxford Economics for the Canadian American Business Council has warned about the potential impact of the CUSMA trade agreement. According to the report, if CUSMA comes to an end, around 102,000 jobs in Canada could be at risk. The

Related News

19-Year-Old Arrested After Knife-Waving Incident in Vancouver’s Granville Entertainment District

19-Year-Old Arrested After Knife-Waving Incident in Vancouver’s Granville Entertainment District

Vancouver police have arrested a 19-year-old man after he allegedly caused a disturbance with a knife and created a sense of fear in the Granville Entertainment District. According to police, the incident occurred at around 1:50 a.m. today. An employee at a business reportedly saw the man flipping over tables and displaying a knife toward people passing by. When the employee attempted to intervene, the suspect became angry and began striking the business’s sign with the knife. The employee then backed away and called police. Officers arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect just two blo

Early Morning Shooting in Surrey’s Cloverdale Leaves One Injured

Early Morning Shooting in Surrey’s Cloverdale Leaves One Injured

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an early morning shooting in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighbourhood that left one adult male with a minor, non-life-threatening injury. Police responded at approximately 3:52 a.m. on August 12 to reports of a shooting near a residence in the area of 60 Avenue and 177 Street. Two people were reportedly shot at, with one person sustaining a minor injury that did not require medical treatment. The suspects fled the scene. SPS’s Major Crime Section has taken over the investigation, while forensic officers are processing physical and digital evidence in t

American Doctors Move to B.C. Amid Eased Licensing Rules

American Doctors Move to B.C. Amid Eased Licensing Rules

British Columbia’s simplified licensing rules are attracting American doctors, with some moving to the province with their families. Two doctors have recently settled in the remote coastal community of Pender Harbour and are now providing services at the local health centre. The area had long struggled with a shortage of doctors, with only one part-time physician serving more than 500 residents. Among the new arrivals are Dr. Leo Bay, who moved from Utah, and Dr. Derek Williams, a Montana physician with 25 years of experience. Both are now providing permanent medical services to thousands of

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital