Groundbreaking report on
health care wait times released

April 3, 2005

Seven national medical organizations have united to release an interim report examining the problem of wait times for health care in Canada and to establish new benchmarks for medically acceptable wait times for care.

The Wait Time Alliance of Canada (WTA) released an interim report today.  The Report outlines evidence-based benchmarks for medically acceptable wait times for access to care in: heart, cancer, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration.

The report is a direct response to the commitment made by First Ministers in September 2004 (10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care) to establish evidence-based benchmarks for medically acceptable wait times in the five priority areas. With the deadline fast approaching (December 31, 2005), Federal-Provincial-Territorial governments have commissioned research on this issue, but have yet to come forward with a process to develop national benchmarks.

"We have an important role to play in this process," said Cardiologist and spokesperson for the WTA, Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai. "Front line health care providers played a key role leading up to that agreement, pushing for greater accessibility and accountability in the system. Now that the time has come to implement that Accord, we are acting again, for the good of our patients."

The report - "No More Time to Wait" - identifies wait time thresholds for these five areas, beyond which best available evidence and clinical consensus indicate patient health is likely to be adversely affected. The report also provides governments with recommendations on establishing a framework to improve access and reduce wait times.

"The First Ministers' Plan offers the promise of better access to health services, but fulfilling that promise requires real work, right now," said Normand Laberge, WTA spokesperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Association of Radiologists. "This report is a starting point for an informed discussion that will lead to development of national wait time benchmarks. What is needed now is the political will for governments to act to fulfil their collective commitment."

This interim report represents the consensus of clinical working groups assembled by each of the six participating national specialty societies. The WTA's final report, to be released in August, 2005, will present completed evidence-based benchmarks and give governments a comprehensive implementation plan on how to achieve these benchmarks and set targets to improve access.

"This interim report is the first cut. We intend to use these findings to consult with patients, governments and with other stakeholders," said Dr. Collins-Nakai. "Our goal is always to be helpful and constructive. Much more work is needed to ensure that patients can benefit from improved access and shorter wait times for health services - but we have to start here and now. There really is "No More Time to Wait."

The Wait Time Alliance of Canada (WTA) is comprised of the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Association of Radiologists, the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine, the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association.