TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2022—Ontario’s doctors support the government’s decision to resume some health services that were paused to preserve hospital capacity. As COVID-19 hospitalizations decrease, we strongly support this phased and targeted approach to restarting ambulatory care in hospital and community-based procedures to reduce wait times and address the growing backlog. We look forward to a full return of all surgeries and other procedures as soon as possible.
“This is welcome news for the millions of Ontarians waiting for treatment,” said OMA President Dr. Adam Kassam. “Providing care to patients and getting through the pandemic backlog remains the highest priority for doctors and the profession.”
The Ontario Medical Association estimated before the most recent pause to the procedures that it would have already taken at least two years to clear the backlog, with the pause meaning it will take even longer.
The pandemic backlog includes not only surgeries, but preventative care, cancer screenings, immunizations, MRIs, CT scans and other procedures, meaning patients have come into hospital sicker than they should be because of serious conditions going undetected or untreated during the pandemic.
While further measures are needed to clear the backlog, as outlined in Prescription for Ontario: Doctors’ 5-Point Plan for Better Health Care, this is a step in the right direction.
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario’s 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system.
For more information, please contact:
Leslie Shepherd, OMA Director of Earned and Social Media
media@oma.org