Ontario doctors say the backlog for certain services reaching crisis levels
The Ontario Medical Association says the backlog for certain services appears to be getting worse, growing roughly by one million in the last three months.
It now sits at 22 million.
According to an analysis by the OMA, the increase appears to be fuelled by the contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19.
OMA President Dr. Rose Zacharias said they need unprecedented support if they're ever going to get caught up.
"People are now going to wait not for months, but in some cases years to get the cancer screenings and surgeries that they've been waiting for -- it's an incredible crisis," said Zacharias.
The backlog ranges anywhere from routine checkups and childhood immunizations to diagnostic tests and surgeries.
The OMA said delays are bad for health outcomes and some individuals are waiting for more than one service.
"This is extremely worrisome to me and my colleagues, that patients are waiting this long to receive the surgical services and the procedures that they deserve," Zacharias said.
She said the backlog may be worse in some areas than due to available services.
"We know that over 350 physicians are needed right now in northern Ontario," said Zacharias
"People are getting sicker as they wait for their delayed surgeries and procedures and so we don't want to have to deal with a shortage of health care team providers. We would rather be in a situation where we have ample or at least enough."
It's calling on all parties to reveal their prescription to fix Ontario health care. They've also released a report card on how they feel the party's platforms shape up, along with what they say needs to be done.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.