Skip to Main content

19.88°^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

sonam-wangchuk-ends-hunger-strike-reports-claim-congress-mp-vivek-tankha-helped-break-deadlock

IndiaJul 24, 2026

Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike; reports claim Congress MP Vivek Tankha helped break deadlock

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after what he described as two days of continuous talks with the central government. Reports claim Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha played a key role in facilitating backchannel discussions that helped resolve the impasse. According to the reports, backchannel negotiations continued for nearly three days, with efforts made at multiple levels to reach a consensus. Some Ladakhi leaders are also reported to have acted as intermediaries during the discussions. Tankha has previously represented Wangchuk in the Supreme Court in a case re

canada-ecuador-sign-free-trade-agreement-ottawa-says-deal-will-expand-opportunities-for-exporters

CanadaJul 24, 2026

Canada, Ecuador sign free trade agreement, Ottawa says deal will expand opportunities for exporters

The Government of Canada has officially signed a free trade agreement with Ecuador, marking a new step in expanding Canada's trade relationships in Latin America. According to the Government of Canada, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, signed the agreement during a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday. The federal government said the agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses, workers and exporters. Federal officials said the agreement will improve market access across several

AlbertaJul 24, 2026

Experts say latest U.S. tariff threats could affect provinces unevenly

Economists say the latest U.S. tariff threats are expected to have different impacts across Canada, with Alberta and Saskatchewan among the least exposed provinces based on current export patterns. University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe said Alberta and Saskatchewan are each expected to see about one per cent of their total exports affected by the latest U.S. tariff list. According to Tombe, that is a lower level of exposure than many other provinces. The Trump administration has cited Canadian restrictions on U.S. alcohol sales as one of the reasons for the proposed tariffs. A

nenshi-says-alberta-referendum-promotion-has-cost-taxpayers-at-least-365-000

AlbertaJul 24, 2026

Nenshi says Alberta referendum promotion has cost taxpayers at least $365,000

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says the provincial government has spent at least $365,000 promoting its planned referendum on Alberta separation, arguing taxpayers are covering the cost of a political campaign. According to Nenshi, government contracts show the spending includes the production and distribution of a televised address and promotional videos for social media platforms. He said the costs are tied to efforts to inform the public about the upcoming referendum. Premier Danielle Smith has defended the referendum, saying the vote is intended to settle the question of Alberta separati

b-c-businesses-could-access-1-5b-federal-emergency-fund-if-new-u-s-tariffs-take-effect-eby-says

B.C. businesses could access $1.5B federal emergency fund if new U.S. tariffs take effect, Eby says

British Columbia Premier David Eby says businesses affected by potential new U.S. tariffs would be eligible to access a $1.5 billion federal emergency fund if the measures are implemented. According to Eby, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the regional emergency fund remains available to support provinces facing economic impacts from U.S. trade action. Eby said the funding could provide relief to B.C. industries if the United States proceeds with proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, including duties of up to 50 per cent on certain wood products beginning Aug. 19. The premier said uncertaint

Related News

B.C. businesses could access $1.5B federal emergency fund if new U.S. tariffs take effect, Eby says

B.C. businesses could access $1.5B federal emergency fund if new U.S. tariffs take effect, Eby says

British Columbia Premier David Eby says businesses affected by potential new U.S. tariffs would be eligible to access a $1.5 billion federal emergency fund if the measures are implemented. According to Eby, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the regional emergency fund remains available to support provinces facing economic impacts from U.S. trade action. Eby said the funding could provide relief to B.C. industries if the United States proceeds with proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, including duties of up to 50 per cent on certain wood products beginning Aug. 19. The premier said uncertaint

Lytton, B.C., hits 41 degrees, hottest temperature in Canada this year

Lytton, B.C., hits 41 degrees, hottest temperature in Canada this year

The heat wave that has scorched southern British Columbia this week has seen temperatures pass 40 degrees for a second consecutive day in the Fraser Canyon, marking the two hottest temperatures recorded in Canada this year. Environment Canada says temperatures in Lytton hit 41.2 degrees on Wednesday, breaking a daily heat record set in 2006. Heat warnings that have blanketed the southern half of the province this week have receded, ending in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast, portions of Vancouver Island and the North Coast. But more than 20 heat warnings remain in place,

Wildfires prompt new evacuation orders as more than 80 blazes burn across British Columbia

Wildfires prompt new evacuation orders as more than 80 blazes burn across British Columbia

Emergency evacuation orders have been issued for several areas of British Columbia as out-of-control wildfires continue to threaten communities across the province. More than 80 wildfires are currently active, and officials are urging residents to follow evacuation instructions and monitor emergency updates. According to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, overnight evacuation orders were issued for parts of the South Chilcotin Mountains area as wildfire conditions worsened. In Boston Bar, local authorities have also urged the remaining residents in the Fraser Canyon to leave immediately

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital