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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.