At Sudbury's hospital, Health Sciences North, budget restraints are forcing some changes to be made.
One of changes is coming at the hospital's breast cancer screening clinic and it's sparking some concern among patients and doctors.
The breast screening program has four key elements.
The fourth step that occurs at the clinic is the navigation of patients onto the next step in care.
But that will no longer be taking place at the breast cancer screening clinic.
Mark Hartman is the Vice-President of Health Sciences North.
"Once that biopsy is done, they see a surgeon to get a care plan developed and to move on, if they need surgery or follow through by some other means. For the most part, things are staying the same, in terms of the diagnostic and screening processes. It's really just the visit with the surgeon will happen in the surgeon’s office." said Hartman.
According to Hartman, the entire breast cancer program operates on a budget of around $1.6-million.
One local surgeon, Dr. Rachelle Paradis, says she is concerned this change will cause significant delays for women.
"Our offices are booked months ahead of time and we’re talking about 2,000 patients a year who come through this clinic. The main concern is all of these patients now will have to be redirected. The reports will be given to the family physician, the family physician will then have to bring the patient to their office first to discuss the results, they will then have to arrange a consultation with a surgeon of their choice and the time required to do all those steps will probably double." said Paradis.
"We’re going to have our staff work very closely with the surgeons to make sure that women who need to move on from biopsy to surgical consultation get that appointment and are seen in the surgeon’s office as soon as possible." said Hartman.
The hospital estimates that these changesat the breast cancer screening clinic will save roughly a quarter of a million dollars.
These changes take effect in January.
