Trial to Reduce Surgery Waitlists at IWK

Children and youth will soon have shorter wait times for some surgeries thanks to a new partnership between the IWK Health Centre and Scotia Surgery.

Starting in February, IWK surgeons and anesthesiologists will perform some less-complex procedures at Scotia Surgery in Dartmouth, with the clinic’s nurses. This 13-month initiative has the potential to significantly reduce the COVID-19 pandemic-related backlog for pediatric surgery.

“This government committed to finding solutions for Nova Scotians waiting months and years for surgery,” said Premier Tim Houston. “We need to use every available resource we have right now to address wait times for pediatric surgeries and this trial with Scotia Surgery will provide IWK surgeons and anesthesiologists a space to be able to do their jobs and provide care for those who need it now.”

Scotia Surgery operating rooms will be used for patients in need of non-complex, elective, outpatient surgeries, such as urology, orthopedic, plastic and dental procedures. It will free up space and resources at the IWK to allow more operating room time for procedures that can only be done in the main operating room, such as cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, spinal surgery or surgeries for patients with complex needs.

This partnership represents an investment of $1.16 million, covered through the IWK’s internal funding. An evaluation in March 2023 when the trial is complete will inform any future action.

Quotes:

“Surgical wait times have gotten too long, and we need to get creative to address the issue. Children shouldn’t have to wait so long for these surgeries. This partnership allows patients to get the same high quality of care the IWK is known for sooner by using the Scotia Surgery facility.”

– Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness

“This partnership with Scotia Surgery will increase our operating room capacity and will be an important part of reducing surgical wait times for children across the Maritimes.”

– Dr. Gerard Corsten, Chief, Pediatric Surgery, IWK Health

“We are pleased to partner with the IWK to help expedite outpatient surgeries. We have partnered with the Nova Scotia Health Authority in a similar manner for over a decade now to effectively help reduce wait times and believe this initiative will help deliver the government’s promise to further reduce wait times.”

– Dr. Philip Cyr, CEO, Scotia Surgery

Quick Facts:

• IWK Health provides surgical services for more than 4,900 Nova Scotian and Maritime children and youth each year
• on average each day, there are 1,020 outpatient/clinic visits, 90-100 emergency visits and 20 surgeries at the IWK

Additional Resources:

Department of Health and Wellness Twitter: https://twitter.com/nshealth

Department of Health and Wellness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaHealthAndWellness/

IWK Health website: https://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/

IWK Health Twitter: https://twitter.com/IWKHealth

IWK Health Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iwkhealth