After reading the article “Three years of pain or payment up front,” (July 23) about a patient waiting three years for surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital to correct a sinus infection, I wanted to clarify how these situations are assessed and managed.
Dr. Javer, the St. Paul’s specialist mentioned in the article, is a highly skilled surgeon with an excellent reputation, and I can understand why patients wish to be referred to him. Surgical patients are prioritized by their physicians based on the seriousness of their cases. Dr. Javer sees his most urgent cases in three to six months.
Those whose procedures are considered elective unfortunately face a much longer wait.
Although Dr. Javer has a heavy caseload, we have worked with him and the Ministry of Health Services to improve this situation. We have increased the operating room time available to him and recruited another highly skilled sino-nasal specialist, which has helped to reduce the wait list.
It is important to note that there are other highly qualified ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists in the public health care system that could also do the procedure in question, if the patient wished to be referred to them. This is always an option for patients who wish speedier treatment.
http://www.drjaver.com/DrJaver/index.html
http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/99062634.html
Ismailimail 