Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas has complained the wait times for cancer care in Ontario are too long, the longest in Canada, and she has called on the Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government to take action.
Gélinas, who is the NDP official opposition health critic, was commenting on a recent survey for the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) that has inspired a new campaign called Cancer Can't Wait. It determined the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting cancer care.
"Eighteen months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of the cancer patients across Canada report their cancer care appointments are cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled, while six in 10 recently diagnosed patients and seven in 10 patients with metastatic cancer report their cancer care appointments are cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled," said the CCSN.
'On average, it takes 28 days to reschedule cancer care appointments and 44 days to reschedule procedures or surgeries. Moreover, one-third of patients report they still do not have a rescheduled appointment or date for surgery. Delays in appointments and treatments continue to impact patients and caregivers, with nearly 70 percent reporting these delays were having a major impact on their emotional and mental health," said a statement from the survivor's network.
“Before the pandemic, Ontarians have expected — and received — the best cancer care services in Canada and beyond. However, today Ontario cancer patients face the longest appointment wait times in Canada,” said Gélinas.
She said the Ontario government needs to take steps to stop the delays in life-saving cancer surgery and treatment for Ontarians.
"These delays are having a profound impact on the health of cancer patients including the mental health of patients and caregivers," said Gélinas in a news release on Monday.
"The frontline health care workers in cancer care are still the best in the country – but they’re run off their feet and unable to keep up. So what is this government’s plan to bring down the long wait time for cancer surgeries and cancer care?"
Gélinas said the study from the CCSN has found that in addition to Ontario’s record high wait times for cancer treatment and surgery, 42 per cent of cancer patients are unsatisfied with the quality of their care, while for people trying to get their cancer diagnosis, 66 per cent are unsatisfied.
“Under this government our cancer care system is being eroded away. The drop in the quality of cancer care for Ontarians who desperately need it, is unacceptable,” said Gélinas. "This government must provide an immediate action plan to bring back the timely and high quality cancer care that patients need and deserve.”
