It might not be a bad idea if surgeons and the 91原创 Island Health Authority sit down and do what so many organizations do annually - draw up a summer work schedule.
It would appear that through the months of summer that operating rooms are not getting the kind of use they could be.
While VIHA says that it can't fill the surgical roster because of surgeons taking holiday, doctors say that's an excuse to shutter operating rooms as a way to save money.
The B.C. Medical Association weighed on the issue as well, backing up the side of the doctors that would see operating rooms open year-round.
So what seems to be the problem? No one is saying exactly. But it would be in the interest of those needing surgery if VIHA and surgeons could look a little closer at this issue.
The layperson hears a lot about waiting lists and how the province, through its health authorities, is spending money like water on health care. So on one hand it would make sense if VIHA was looking to save a little cash through summer downtime in the operating rooms.
But that doesn't make a lot of sense to those waiting for surgery. Doctors would gladly work through the summer.
As well, people needing an operation would gladly go under the knife during the dog days if it meant they could have their surgery sooner.
Certainly surgeons need to go on holiday at some point. Who doesn't? But it's a bit of a stretch by VIHA to claim that all the surgeons are out of town for pretty much the entire summer.
Surgeons may close their offices for two weeks so they and their staffs can take time off, but even then, communications can alleviate that.
On-call surgeons, those who rush to the hospital to attend to traumas, figure this out and talk to each other so that there is such continuous coverage.
Setting up a summer schedule for regular surgeries should not present big challenges. Common sense also indicates that closing operating rooms for three months would lead to further delays.
And if VIHA is creating delays for patients in the name of saving money, it has some explaining to do.
Our health-care system is complex and expensive. As such, there are many problems and challenges. But this is an issue that a little communication should be able to solve fairly easily.
Harbour City Star, Nanaimo
