Keeping our promises: More Surgeries to Reduce Wait Times
Under the NDP’s watch, Albertans watched as wait times for surgeries increased, despite increasing spending to record levels year over year.
Hip replacement wait times alone increased by nearly 30 per cent from 28.7 weeks to 36.7 weeks. Knee replacement wait times went up by 23 per cent, from 33 weeks to 40.7 weeks.
For too long the hugely important Alberta natural gas industry has been neglected by government.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) June 6, 2019
We are changing that with the appointment of Dale Nally as Associate Minister for Natural Gas, with a specific mandate to help the gas industry.https://t.co/AjL8w0DtT4
We believe that Albertans deserve a better approach, an approach where success is measured by outcomes for patients, not just on dollars spent.
That’s why we announced a bold and aggressive plan to get serious about tackling the growth in surgical wait times.
Associate Minister for Natural Gas Dale Nally is doing critical work, bringing industry players together to stabilize prices and get the industry off life support.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2020
We will be there to support this vital pillar of our economy.https://t.co/WAsBpO4nU8
In December 2019, our United Conservative government announced the Alberta Surgical Wait-Times Initiative.
The initiative seeks to expand contracts with non-hospital surgical facilities, many of which provide surgeries at a lower cost. Not only does the initiative expand surgical access in communities, but it will free up space in our hospitals to focus on emergencies and more complex operations.
The latest @FraserInstitute report reconfirms Albertans wait too long for surgery and other care. The NDP watched wait times get longer and did nothing. Today I was proud to announce the Alberta Surgical Wait-Times Initiative, a plan to give Albertans the best access in Canada. pic.twitter.com/banT0DKHIu
— Tyler Shandro (@shandro) December 10, 2019
All medically necessary surgeries under the initiative will be covered and fully paid for through Alberta’s public health care system.
It’s just another example of a promise made and a promise kept.
