By: Winnipeg Tribune Staff Writer
Winnipeg, April 23, 2024 - Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara unveiled plans for a comprehensive provincial spine program aimed at reducing wait times and improving patient outcomes.
With an investment exceeding $12 million, the provincial government is set to establish a centralized spine program, streamlining patient consultations, and surgical procedures. The program will incorporate a coordinated approach across various healthcare providers and diagnostic facilities, ensuring efficient delivery of care across the province.
Starting May 1, operating slates dedicated to spinal procedures will witness a significant boost, increasing by over 50 percent. This expansion will be complemented by the deployment of state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical equipment, promising enhanced surgical outcomes for patients across all participating healthcare facilities, including
Concordia Hospital, Brandon Regional Health Centre, and Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg.
The Provincial Spine Assessment Clinic, in collaboration with physiotherapists and surgeons, will be integrated into the new provincial spine program. This integration aims to streamline patient assessment and treatment processes, further reducing wait times and enhancing overall patient experience.
Dr. Ed Buchel, Shared Health’s provincial surgical lead and HSC’s surgical site director, hailed the establishment of the comprehensive provincial spine program as a milestone in improving access to spinal care. He highlighted the program's potential to optimize surgical capacity and deliver cutting-edge treatment with the aid of advanced technology.