News & Events

BCOA in the News

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-northern-health-report-1.6619757

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/specialist-doctors-report-1-million-b-c-patients-on-waitlists-1.6078311

https://vancouversun.com/health/local-health/adrian-dix-open-letter-crumbling-health-care-system-bc

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/386595/-Listen-to-us-Kelowna-surgeon-among-over-130-doctors-calling-for-minister-s-acknowledgement-healthcare-is-crumbling

https://www.iheartradio.ca/cfax-1070/audio/warning-letter-to-b-c-s-health-minister-1.18556619?mode=Article

Comment from Dr. Lane Dielwart about foreign surgeries and wait times     https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/long-wait-times-bc-surgery-abroad-1.6445382

Dr. Lane Dielwart discusses doubling surgery wait times in British Columbia     https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-110-daybreak-south

Orthopedic surgeons in Kamloops and Prince George are interviewed regarding monumental waitlists for patients

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Nelson talks about the never-seen-before wait times facing his patients in Prince George.     https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-109/clip/15909933

https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/local-news/surgery-delays-prompt-letter-from-bc-orthopaedic-association-president-5209733 Kamloops This Week Sean Brady

https://thetyee.ca/News/2022/03/28/Health-Care-Hits-Breaking-Point/ TheTyee.ca Andrew MacLeod

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-surgery-waits-1.6395964 CBC.ca Camile Bains

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/363744/Orthopaedic-surgeries-in-the-province-still-backlogged-by-thousands Castanet Victoria Femia

https://www.richmond-news.com/bc-news/patients-in-bc-waiting-too-long-for-surgery-not-being-counted-by-province-doctor-5191418

https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/bc-news/patients-in-bc-waiting-too-long-for-surgery-not-being-counted-by-province-doctor-5191418

https://www.timescolonist.com/bc-news/patients-in-bc-waiting-too-long-for-surgery-not-being-counted-by-province-doctor-5191418  

https://vancouversun.com/health/patients-in-bc-waiting-too-long-for-surgery-not-being-counted-by-province-doctor The Vancouver Sun – March 23, 2022 Camille Bains

https://infotel.ca/newsitem/thousands-in-kamloops-kelowna-still-waiting-for-postponed-orthopaedic-surgeries/it89691 InfoTel News Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Vernon – March 22, 2022 Rob Munro    

Vancouver ~ the BC Orthopedic Association said today that collaboration among health care stakeholders leads to success for patients, doctors and communities. Several examples of collaboration exist in BC with models of care that include surgeon-led multi-disciplinary clinics that utilize centralized intake and ‘first available surgeon’ strategies to reduce wait times. Orthopaedic surgeons are working … Continue reading “BC Orthopaedic Association says Collaboration Leads to Success”

Both events will be held virtually this year. Details will be available soon.  

  April 4, 2018 Vancouver~ The provincial government’s recent announcement of targeted funding for more hip and knee replacement surgeries may mean decreased access for the other 85% of orthopaedic patients on wait lists, according to Dr. Alastair Younger, president of the BC Orthopaedic Association. “While we are pleased there is a promise for more … Continue reading “More hip and knee surgeries may mean less access for the other 85% of orthopaedic patients”

Dr. Kevin Wing, an orthopaedic surgeon operating in Vancouver, BC, remarks on how people in BC with orthopaedic foot and ankle issues have to wait an unreasonable time for surgery and suffer as they wait.

  August 1, 2017 Vancouver ~ A study of wait times for 4,100 BC orthopaedic patients concluded that the average journey from referral to surgery was “worrisomely long at 59.5 weeks,” according to the study’s authors Drs. Alastair Younger and Dr. Kevin Wing. “This study confirmed what our members – orthopaedic surgeons in British Columbia … Continue reading “Study confirms long waits for access to orthopaedic care”

Click here to read the Fraser Research Bulletin  

August 1, 2017 Vancouver, BC ~ Thousands of British Columbia residents in pain wait more than a year for an initial consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon, according to a recent study by the BC Orthopaedic Association. Dr. Kevin Wing, a Clinical Professor in UBC’s Department of Orthopaedics, and immediate past president of the BC Orthopaedic … Continue reading “Thousands of BC residents wait in pain for orthopaedic consultations”

Many innovative approaches and new programs are under way in BC that offer solutions to provide the best and most timely orthopaedic care. These programs need sufficient hospital resources to make sure all orthopaedic patients can get timely surgical solutions when needed.

Scope of the Problem Many people in British Columbia have experienced an episode of temporary bodily pain that makes the everyday activities of standing, walking or sleeping difficult. Every year, tens of thousands of British Columbians are referred by their family physicians to see an Orthopaedic surgeon because their pain did not go away. Measuring … Continue reading “1st Annual Patient Focused Wait Time Report”

Conversation That Matters June 3, 2017 featuring Dr. Kevin Wing This episode of Conversation That Matters features Dr. Kevin Wing, the Past President of the BC Orthopaedic Association who talks about wait times and what he and his colleagues are doing to reduce the wait and relieve pain. Are you or someone you know living … Continue reading “CONVERSATION THAT MATTERS
featuring Dr. Kevin Wing”

  The Price of Pain June 13, 2017 Re: Health Minister Vows Action On Illegal Double Billing (June 12); Paying To End Their Pain (Focus, June 10): This is exactly the conversation about our beleaguered public health-care system we need to have. For too long, our patients have suffered from the constraints of a system … Continue reading “The Price Of Pain- Globe and Mail”

June 12, 2017 Victoria, BC- Our country’s beloved and beleaguered universal healthcare system was created over 50 years ago. At that time, only 10% of the population was 65 or older. By 2030, this age group will make up 25% of the population. This is also the group that requires the most orthopaedic care – … Continue reading “Timely Access to Orthopaedic Healthcare – a right for all Canadians”

Dr. Kevin Wing takes us for a look inside the highly-efficient orthopaedic unit at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. The methods and set-up have dramatically speeded up care for orthopaedic patients.

Have a tour of this one-stop shop for all orthopaedic care in Victoria, BC. CEO and Founder Stefan Fletcher and orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Peter Dryden show us how this innovative program has dramatically reduced wait times for patients to have their first orthopaedic consult.

Dr. Kate Ball, an orthopaedic surgeon operating in Vernon, BC, points out how the agony of orthopaedic patients waiting for years for simple surgical procedures can be alleviated. Unfortunately, too many still wait too long for these procedures and it affects their lives significantly.

Kelowna, BC orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Derek Plausinis talks about the need for coordinated care, both surgical and non-surgical, for all orthopaedic patients. Long wait times and patients living in pain are the result when this coordination is lacking.

Dr. Darius Viskontas, an orthopaedic surgeon at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC, describes why there are highly-trained orthopaedic surgeons looking for work in Canada.

Prince George, BC orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Mike Moran describes that being allocated only seven hours per week in the operating room means the valuable time and training of highly-skilled orthopaedic surgeons goes to waste.

Almost 80% of respondents to a recent BC Orthopaedic Association survey said they support Dr. Brian Day’s court case asking for private insurance. Over three-quarters (76%) favour having a hybrid private/public healthcare system like that of the United Kingdom, and almost 58% want to see substantive and innovative changes to the current system. Not one … Continue reading “Three-quarters of BC Orthopaedic Surgeons Favour Hybrid Healthcare System”

SAVE THE DATE! BCOA Annual General Meeting & UBC Orthopaedic Update May 10-12, 2017 at SFU Harbour Centre 515 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3.   Visiting professors include Dr. J. Lawrence Marsh and Dr. Michael McKee. See www.orthopaedics.med.ubc.ca/education/ortho-update/ for further information and updates