Wait times in the four regional health authorities continue to be at or near the national benchmark targets, according to data collected during the second quarter of the 2007 fiscal year, covering the period from July 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007.

"We are pleased with the latest report which indicates that 70 to 100 per cent of patients are receiving access to services within the recommended timeframes during the quarter," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman. "It shows that we are continuing to provide timely access in the priority areas, even when faced with seasonable variables."

The completion rate for curative radiotherapy was 89 per cent for the quarter. Overall, completion rates at the 30-day mark have consistently remained within the 88 per cent to 95 per cent range since 2006-07. Also during this quarter, in keeping with the Provincial Government�s commitment to timely access, 10 patients traveled to the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto to commence radiation treatment for either breast or prostate cancer.

Again this quarter, performance at the 182-day target for coronary bypass surgery was 92 per cent, with completion for this type of surgery remaining consistently above the 90^th percentile throughout the previous five quarters.

More than 1000 cataract cases were performed in the province during the quarter. The percentage of cataract cases completed for this period that were within the 112-day benchmark was 82 per cent in Eastern Health. In Central Health, 100 per cent of all cases were performed within the 112-day target. Central Health has continued to meet or exceed the 112-day access target since the first quarter of 2006-07. Western Health data was not reported this quarter. In Labrador Grenfell Health, the completion rate was 68 per cent, with service provided by visiting specialists.

During the quarter, just over 65 hip replacement procedures were performed in the province. Eastern Health completed 79 per cent of 43 cases within the 182-day benchmark target. Western Health performed 100 per cent of 14 cases within the benchmark and has achieved the benchmark target in four of the five previous quarters. Data for Central and Labrador Grenfell Health are suppressed for the quarter, as a low volume of cases were performed.

Also during this period, more than 100 knee replacement procedures were performed. Eastern Health completed 71 per cent of 73 cases within the 182-day target. Central and Western Health achieved the benchmark target, completing 100 per cent of all cases within 182 days. Data for Labrador Grenfell Health is suppressed, as a low volume of cases were performed for the quarter.

While waiting time for hip fracture surgery varies across regions, the greatest demand for surgery within the 48-hour benchmark is in Eastern Health, which responds to the highest proportion of patients with fractured hips. During this period, 60 per cent of 57 cases were completed within 48 hours in Eastern Health. In Central Health, 85 per cent of 13 cases were completed within the benchmark. In Western Health, 93 per cent of 21 cases were performed within 48 hours. Data for Labrador Grenfell Health is suppressed, as a low volume of cases were performed for the quarter.

Regional and provincial participation rates for the provincial Cervical Screening Initiatives Program were reported for the first time in the previous quarter and will be reported annually. Participation rates for the provincial Breast Screening Program are reported annually and will be provided in the next quarterly release.

Minister Wiseman added, "The investments we have made in our wait times management system since 2003 continue to produce positive results as we remain at or near the national benchmarks."

The overall budget for health and community services in Budget 2008 is a record $2.3 billion. This year the province is committing an additional $266 million annually for the operations of the health care sector. This is in addition to total capital spending in the health sector of $133.5 million this year.

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Media contact:

Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741
glendapower@gov.nl.ca