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Ontario Recognized As A Wait Times Leader

McGuinty Government Improving Access To High Quality Health Care

March 21, 2011

News

Ontario is a national leader in wait times for key health procedures according to a new report from the Canadian Health Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

Today, CIHI released its sixth annual report on provincial and national wait times in Canada. The independent report examines wait times for radiation therapy, cardiac bypass surgery, hip and knee replacements, hip fracture repairs and cataract surgeries.

Ontario ranks first in Canada in hip and knee replacements and cardiac bypass surgery, and second in cataract surgery, based on national benchmarks established in 2005.

Since the province started measuring wait times in 2005, Ontarians are waiting less for key procedures despite increasing demand.

Reducing wait times is part of the Open Ontario plan to provide more access to health care services while improving accountability for Ontario families.

QUOTES

“Ontario is making an impact on wait times and we know that if we track wait times, we can improve them. Our results speak for themselves and Ontarians continue to benefit with increased access to top quality care in a timely manner. This CIHI report card shows that we are on the right track.”
- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“Reducing wait times for health services is the direct result of a very strong collaboration between hospitals, physicians and other health care professionals, and the Government of Ontario.  Ontario is now a leader in ensuring that patients are treated within the national benchmarks.  The OHA is very proud of this accomplishment.”
– Tom Closson, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2003, Ontario has invested in nearly 2.5 million procedures to reduce wait times in the five key health services: cancer surgery, cardiac procedures, cataract surgery, hip and knee replacement and diagnostic scans.
• Since 2005, Ontario has achieved significant wait time reductions in the following areas :
• Cancer surgery: 23.5 per cent or 19 days
• Cataract surgery: 61.4 per cent or 191 days
• Hip replacement: 45.6 per cent or 160 days
• Knee replacement: 55.2 per cent or 243 days
• CT scans: 54.3 per cent or 44 days
• Ontario currently reports on wait times for over 190 different procedures and diagnostic exams.

LEARN MORE

Find wait times for procedures performed at hospitals across the province.

Read the CIHI report: Wait Times in Canada – A Comparison by Province, 2011.

Members of the media:

Neala Barton, 416-327-4388
Minister's Office

David Jensen, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
ontario.ca/health-news