Ontario gradually resuming non-urgent surgeries, procedures
Posted Feb 11, 2022 05:26:00 PM.
As COVID-19 hospitalization and ICU admission continue to decline, the Ontario government said the province will be able to gradually resume surgeries and procedures that were cancelled due to the pandemic.
In consultation with Dr. Kieran Moore, the provincial government said on Thursday, February 10 that it will start a “gradual and cautious” resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures across Ontario.
“Thanks to the sacrifices of Ontarians and unwavering efforts of our health care workers, we are now in a position to resume additional surgeries and procedures,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We recognize the impact these measures have had on patients and together with our hospital partners we will ensure patients can continue to access the health care they need when they need it.”
The resumption of these surgeries and procedures will follow a planned phased approach across the province, in alignment with guidance given by Ontario Health.
As these services resume, Ontario will ensure hospitals will have what they need to address capacity and resume those services.
Non-essential and non-emergent surgeries and procedures were halted on January 5 as Ontario returned to a modified stage two of Ontario's reopening plan.
In a statement to media, The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) said it was in the process of getting everything in order to resume surgeries there.
“The hospital is in the process of implementing its plan to reschedule surgeries as safely and quickly as possible. Care teams are reviewing each patient’s case and will prioritize and reschedule procedures based on the medical need.”
Adding, “We will work closely with other hospitals in the region to address the backlog of surgeries. This means working together as a region to maximize beds, staffing and surgical suites.”
TOH said it will also work with the Ministry of Health to add capacity to address the backlog.
