March 29, 2024

Society claims wait time data falsified

The BC Anesthesiologist Society is levelling serious accusations at the Health Ministry over patient wait times.

Doctor Roland Orfaly says health officials have manipulated or falsified patient treatment data to show on paper wait times are being addressed.

Orfaly says wait times are instead “exploding”.

The society is now applying as intervenor in the court case pitting private health clinic owner Doctor Brian Day versus the province.

“Well this case revolves around the medicare protection act which is the prevailing health care law in the province and that law requires that the provincial government ensure timely access to quality medical care for all British Columbians and that is really at the root of the issues we want to bring forward.”

Orfaly says they want the truth about health care and wait times to come out.

A judge will decide whether or not to grant their intervenor request.

Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid is denying a claim by anasthesiologists that the government has manipulated and falsified data to make waiting lists look better.

“It’s a very strong accusation.  I do not have any evidence of that, obviously if I did as Minister of Health I would be taking drastic steps immediately. But we do have wait list information, and you know I will acknowledge that there are people who wait in some cases for care in British Columbia.” 

MacDiarmid insists the government has worked hard to bring down waiting lists over the past decade.
 

 

CKNW Vancouver News

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