A September 2020 study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal and published in The Canadian Press suggests it could take more than 1-1/2 years to clear the backlog of surgeries in Ontario hospitals. The research shows that even with a target of more than 700 surgeries per week, COVID has caused an 84-week delay for most patients. Between March 15 and June 13 alone, Ontario hospitals accrued a backlog of 148,365 procedures postponed or cancelled to prepare for a possible COVID-19 patient surge.

Experts agree the Canadian health crisis has caused patients months of prolonged pain and discomfort, and may even be responsible for loss of life. As early in the pandemic as April, Health Minister Christine Elliott estimated that 35 people may have died because their cardiac surgeries were not able to be performed.

In addition, statistics just released by the National Post on November 10 show that only 43% of Canadians are able to get same-day doctor’s appointments when they are urgently needed.

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