Ministry of Health's response-wait time for bariatric surgery in BC

A bunch of    Crap!

Response from Kevin Falcon

We on the waiting list are NOT important!

Those on the FUTURE list are NOT important!

MMMM........read the response carefully.....this guy has no idea what the heck is talking about!


Wonder if he would think differently if he had a child/grand child needing bariatric surgery!

2nd last paragraph.....Dude-My surgeon put me on the list for surgery....he cant get me in any faster unless you grant more operating time!

How do we get rid of this guy!....How can we bring in someone who actually cares about the people!

803926

Ms. Penny Smith
[email protected]

Dear Ms. Smith:

Thank you for your email of September 20, 2009, regarding bariatric surgery.  I appreciate that waiting for a surgical procedure can be a stressful experience for patients.  I am responding on behalf of the Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Health Services.

The role of the Ministry of Health Services (the Ministry) is to provide stewardship for the health care system through policies, guidelines and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of health authority performance against defined expectations.  Within this framework, regional health authorities are responsible for planning, managing and delivering quality health care services and for the operation of facilities in their jurisdictions. 

The Ministry recognizes the value and importance of this surgery for patients who are struggling with morbid obesity.  In the last five years VIHA has doubled the number of bariatric weight loss surgeries from 52 to 111 per year for patients from all across British Columbia (BC). 

At the same time, access to this surgery, operating room time, physician and nursing resources as well as fiscal resources must be balanced against all the other important surgical procedures that VIHA performs.  VIHA is working hard to align surgical volume within what was budgeted for in previous years, meaning there will be no reduction in the actual surgical budget for bariatric surgeries.

As you have noted, bariatric surgery is only one part of a comprehensive process involving a wide range of professional services – a fact that contributes to the wait time for this procedure.  Surgical intervention is considered a last resort for people who have previously tried other forms of medical weight loss management including diet modification, increased physical activity, behavioural modification or medications.  Care involves comprehensive pre-surgery work that can take up to a year to complete, and extensive post-surgery follow up, possibly life-long. 

In addition, facilities undertaking this type of surgery require not only a skilled medical/surgical team committed to this extensive pre and post operative involvement, but specialized equipment to properly care for patients.  A further complication is that bariatric surgery is considered to be high risk due to the additional health problems that often accompany morbid obesity.

With regard to surgical priority, I can advise that priority is determined by medical status as assessed by the surgeon and other physicians involved.  For all non-emergency surgery, surgeons have their own wait lists, and some are longer than others.  Specialists and facilities prioritize patient appointments based on the relative urgency of the requests received and waiting times for specialists vary considerably between physicians.

If you feel your condition has deteriorated or warrants reassessment, I encourage you to bring your specific concerns regarding the urgency of your situation directly to your surgeon’s attention.  Your surgeon is best able to address your wait list status, and if necessary, advance your placement appropriately on the wait list.

The Ministry and health authorities continue to be challenged by an ever increasing demand for health services.  Please be assured the Ministry places a high priority on ensuring universal access to timely, high-quality health care in BC.

I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Harvey
Executive Director

HaHa check out my "Carbon Copy" letter sincerely?

804176

Ms. Heather Bagg
[email protected]

Dear Ms. Bagg:

Thank you for your email of September 21, 2009, regarding bariatric surgery. I appreciate that waiting for a surgical procedure can be a stressful experience for patients. I am responding on behalf of the Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Health Services.

I assure you the Ministry of Health Services (the Ministry) acknowledges morbid obesity as a serious health issue. The role of the Ministry is to provide stewardship for the health care system through policies, guidelines and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of health authority performance against defined expectations. Within this framework, regional health authorities are responsible for planning, managing and delivering quality health care services and for the operation of facilities in their jurisdictions.

As you may be aware, due to the limited number of physicians specializing in bariatric surgeries, the majority are performed by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). In the last five years VIHA has more than doubled the number of bariatric weight loss surgeries from 52 to 111 per year for patients from all across British Columbia (BC).

Bariatric surgery is only one part of a comprehensive process involving a wide range of professional services – a fact that contributes to the wait time for this procedure. Surgical intervention is considered a last resort for people who have previously tried other forms of medical weight loss management including diet modification, increased physical activity, behavioural modification or medications. Care involves comprehensive pre-surgery work that can take up to a year to complete, and extensive post-surgery follow up, possibly life-long.

In addition, facilities undertaking this type of surgery require not only a skilled medical/surgical team committed to this extensive pre and post operative involvement, but specialized equipment to properly care for patients. A further complication is that bariatric surgery is considered to be high risk due to the additional health problems that often accompany morbid obesity.

With regard to surgical priority, I can advise that priority is determined by medical status as assessed by the surgeon and other physicians involved. For all non-emergency surgery, surgeons have their own wait lists, and some are longer than others. Specialists and facilities prioritize patient appointments based on the relative urgency of the requests received.

If you feel your condition has deteriorated or warrants reassessment, I encourage you to bring your specific concerns regarding the urgency of your situation directly to your surgeon’s attention. Your surgeon is best able to address your wait list status, and if necessary, advance your placement appropriately on the wait list.


While I appreciate your frustration with your present situation, it is important to recognize that the Ministry cannot make operational decisions for hospitals such as the assignment of operating room time. This is a matter between a hospital and the physicians working there.

I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Harvey
Executive Director
 

Heather......sure does make us feel special eh?
Did you know they are bringing in vehicles from Texas for the Olympics...and these drivers had to ask if they needed snow tires....mmmmmmm
Shows us exactly where our tax dollars are going....
Perhaps they could have set aside that  money to the hospital surgical fund......instead we are giving thousands of dollars to Non-Canadians for a Canadian hosted event!
Mmmmmmm

RIGHT ON LAURA FROM KELOWNA BC
LISTEN TO HER INTERVIEW
 
http://www.facebook.com/l/5ff9d;chbcnews.ca/index.php?name=N ews&file=article&sid=18337 

What is even more disturbing is that MSP does not cover the LBS, which I understand is less invasive and safer in the long run!
The strangest thing: I got a DR. Referal on Aug 22/ 2009 and then got the call the my consult with Dr. A would be Feb 25, 2010. With in days of that they phoned back and said there was a appointment available with Dr. T that week. So I went and things just rolled from there. (I AM SELF PAY). My surgery date is Feb 15, 2010.
Now I don't know but it all seems to have happened rather quickly compared to most people and I imagine it is because paying for it myself ($15,100).
Something is really stange within VIHA.
Our health care dollars are being squandered on "snow tires" ! Gotta Love dear Gordon Campbell
Let me tell you I won't forget during our next election.