Reducing wait times for eye surgeries: Alberta to use chartered surgical facilities in Edmonton, Calgary
The province says Alberta Health Services (AHS) will be using chartered surgical facilities in Edmonton and Calgary to provide 35,000 cataract and other eye procedures this coming year, 25 per cent more than last year.
The initiative was announced on Friday, with the UCP sayingit hopesthe move will drive down wait times.
"Performing these ophthalmological surgeries in community clinics frees up operating room space in hospitals to provide more complex surgeries, including complex cataract and retinal procedures, plus ear, nose and throat surgeries," said a news release.
Money to use chartered facilities comes from the $133 million for the Alberta Surgical Initiative (over three years) announced in Budget 2022.
The UCP also said Friday a new independent surgical recovery lead has been established to "oversee, track and provide dedicated focus and rigour to surgical recovery."
The government says the new lead will keep them and also AHS "on task and accountable" to ensure people get better surgical care faster, based on recommended wait times.
“We need to build both public and private surgical capacity and reduce wait times. Utilizing private clinics in Calgary and Edmonton for ophthalmological surgeries, particularly cataract surgeries, will free up space for other surgeries in AHS facilities," said Minister of Health Jason Copping.
"The new surgical recovery lead will support our work with stakeholders to complete all postponed surgeries as quickly as possible and help develop innovative approaches to reducing wait times to clinically acceptable levels."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates: Hurricane Milton leaves path of destruction in Florida
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction and immobilizing critical infrastructure. The extent of the damage is not yet known.
U.S. Republicans condemn hurricane conspiracy theories spread by their own party
As U.S. officials struggle to push back against misinformation about natural disasters hitting the country, at least three congressional Republicans condemned conspiracy theories repeated by fellow members of their party.
Hurricane Milton plows across Florida, pounding cities and whipping up tornadoes. At least 4 dead
Hurricane Milton barreled into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after plowing across Florida, pounding cities with ferocious winds and rain, and whipping up a barrage of tornadoes. It caused at least four deaths and compounded the misery wrought by Helene while sparing Tampa a direct hit.
Ontario man 'devastated' he owes $18,000 after 2 loans were fraudulently taken in his name
An Ontario man said he feels 'devastated' after learning his identity was stolen to take out two fraudulent loans under his name.
opinion Melania Trump reveals surprising pen pal friendship with King Charles III
In her column for CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about the pen friendship we didn't see coming, between Melania Trump, the former first lady of the United States, and King Charles III.
Twin boys born conjoined celebrate 1st birthday after separation surgery
Twin brothers who were born conjoined recently celebrated their first birthday after undergoing successful separation surgery.
Company must refund $1-million deposit after failing to complete West Vancouver home on time, court rules
A West Vancouver company has been ordered to repay a homebuyer's $1-million deposit after it failed to complete construction on the property in time.
Women say they were kicked off of Spirit Airlines flight for what they were wearing
Two Orange County women are speaking out after they say they were kicked off of a Spirit Airlines flight because of what they were wearing.
WATCH Lightning flashes seen from space as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida
Timelapse video of satellite imagery shows an impressive number of lightning flashes over Florida as Category 3 Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday.