Cape Breton woman told to wait more than three years for surgery
Surgery backlogs have been plaguing hospitals in the Atlantic region through the pandemic, with patients suffering delays for a variety of procedures.
“I've been waiting for surgery now for the last two years, and I’m told it will be another 18 months. It's not acceptable that I have to be waiting that long,” said Brenda Walsh, who has a prolapsed bladder and has been living in pain for quite a while.
She will need to have the procedure done in Halifax, because she says there are no surgeons available in Sydney.
“It's not good. There are days I’m sitting around crying with pain and suffering. I'm suffering a lot with pain,” said Walsh.
In an email, Nova Scotia Health said they are working to improve access to surgical services to address COVID-19 related backlogs, achieve wait time targets and improve the care and experiences of their patients.
“That's a surgery that can have a huge impact on the quality of life for the patient, and to have to wait three-and-a-half years, I think, is unacceptable,” said Dr. Margaret Fraser, a Cape Breton physician.
Fraser says the lack of specialists and bed availability on Cape Breton is holding up or delaying procedures.
“It's not surprising to me that people are experiencing those kinds of waits. It's very difficult for the patients and their families and difficult for us as health care providers to know we referred our patients and they're not getting the care they need,” said Fraser.
Nova Scotia Health says they have identified specific strategies and resources needed to allow more surgeries in the coming years, including more beds and staff. These plans are aimed at completing 2,500 more surgeries over the next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.