Clearing surgical backlog will increase strain on already burned out healthcare staff: Ontario Medical Association

The President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) thinks it's going to be a very difficult task to clear a backlog of non-urgent medical procedures that the province's Financial Accountability Officer projects could take more than three years.

OMA President Dr. Samantha Hill says hospitals in the province will do whatever is necessary to clear the backlog, but she is concerned about the impact it will have on healthcare staff.

The people responsible for caring for Ontarians for the past year are already experiencing burnout and exhaustion, but will be tasked with working in overdrive to clear the backlog.

“The same nurses who have been redeployed from hospital ORs, to intensive care units will now need to go back to the ORs and be able to increase the staffing level to be able to allow, like myself and other surgeons, to operate. This is going to be very difficult to do,” Dr. Hill told CityNews Ottawa.

The doctor also says most hospitals are already operating above maximum volume, and clarifies an 11 per cent increase needed to clear the backlog post-pandemic is not above the expected volume, but baseline volume.

“That is far above what most hospitals are meant to function at,” she explained.

Dr. Hill describes the backlog that is projected to surpass 419,000 procedures by the end of September as “mind-boggling” and says delaying surgeries can exacerbate or create health complications.

“That's 419,000 patients who are waiting for life-saving, life-altering surgery. That's 419,000 families who are waiting, who are affected.”

She is also urging residents to avoid injuries and take care of their health when possible, since now is not the time to need hospital care if it can be otherwise avoided.

“Don't do things like climb a ladder to prune your own trees this year,” urged the doctor. “Let's leave that for safer times when there are more resources in the hospital.”

Dr. Hill is recommending people take care of their mental health and well-being right now and suggests calling a family doctor to discuss health concerns.