More than half of all surgeries in B.C. are performed to address a medical emergency or a condition that requires immediate attention. Scheduled surgery, though medically necessary, is planned in advance. For this type of surgery, a surgeon’s office sends a booking package to the health authority where the surgery will be performed. Until the date of their surgery, the patient is placed on a waitlist.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Provincial Surgical Executive Committee and the health authorities, has developed plans to improve timely access to appropriate scheduled surgical procedures, optimally manage surgical waitlists, and improve the patient experience. Actions include:
Measuring and monitoring the Wait to See a Surgeon and the Wait for Surgery times in B.C. The Ministry sets targets for wait times in the province, and works with health authorities to meet the targets.
Making operating rooms more efficient and finding ways to perform more surgeries using existing resources.
Developing Surgical Services Programs, new health authority programs responsible for coordinating and/or providing all of the services a surgical patient requires, from diagnosis to post-operative care.
Developing an appropriateness framework for surgery, a set of guidelines intended to prevent unnecessary tests and treatments and to ensure that care is safe and effective.
Health authorities scheduling all surgeries, including those from the waitlists.
Performing regular reviews and audits of waitlists.
Providing more information, support, and rehabilitation services for patients.
Extending Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), a best practice approach to support optimal outcomes for patients following surgery.
Below is historical information for all scheduled procedures waiting and completed in B.C. For more detailed information about specific procedures, use the Find a Procedure tool.
Surgical Patient Registry
