Sick of waiting as Manitoba surgery backlog grows, some seek costly procedures out of province — or country – CBC

Premier Heather Stefanson has promised to create a task force to deal with wait list for medical procedures

Nov 04, 2021

Manitoba’s growing backlog of surgeries and diagnostic procedures have driven some patients to seek options in other provinces, or even other countries, sometimes paying tens of thousands of dollars to do it.

Jennifer Agnew already faced a wait of a year and a half to get hip-replacement surgery when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the province’s hospitals to postpone non-urgent procedures. Now, she’s still waiting to get a date, despite calling weekly.

“I’m so desperate because it’s starting to affect my mobility, to the point that if I don’t get this surgery soon, I’m going to need a wheelchair.”

Agnew, 42, was born with hip dysplasia, a condition in which the ball of the femur isn’t fully covered by the socket. The joint has now worn down to the point that the bones grind together, making it painful for her to walk and affecting her ability to play with her two children.

“I couldn’t even go trick or treating with my kids,” she said.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-surgical-diagnostic-backlog-wait-times-1.6236515