Waits for radiology tests debated in Ontario Legislature

Sault Area Hospitals has some of the longest waiting lists in the province for common radiology tests, according to a report released Wednesday by the Ontario Association of Radiologists (OAR).

The issue was raised Wednesday in the Ontario Legislature by Nickel Belt MPP Shelley Martel (shown).

"The government?s decision to continually cut funding has totally devastated radiology services across this province," said Dr. Giuseppe Tarulli, OAR President.

"On any given day in Ontario, there are more than 260,000 patients waiting longer than is medically appropriate to access a common diagnostic imaging examination," Dr. Tarulli said, adding that "the 260,000 people on the current waiting list are an unnecessary result of the Ontario government funding cuts."

The OAR report found waiting lists in Sault Ste. Marie of six to 17 weeks for ultrasound, six to 12 weeks for nuclear medicine cardiac tests, seven weeks for mammography and 12 weeks for bone mineral densitometry.

These tests are needed to diagnose leading causes of death including cancer, cardiac disease and osteoporosis, Tarulli said.

To access the full OAR report (Adobe Acrobat required), please click here.

A full transcript of the Ontario Legislature exchange follows:

Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt):

I have a question for the Premier.

A report released today by the Ontario Association of Radiologists is truly shocking, in terms of the number of people who are waiting for basic diagnostic tests and the number of communities where people are waiting.

In the north, for example, people are waiting 17 weeks for an ultrasound in Sault Ste Marie, seven weeks in North Bay at the Scollard site, six weeks in Kenora.

They're waiting 12 weeks for nuclear medicine tests for cardiac disease in Sault Ste Marie, six weeks for the same in Kenora and Timmins.

Premier, the lists are long and the waits can be deadly for some of these patients.

The association this morning presented your government with a series of recommendations to deal with these waiting lists.

Are you prepared to implement them?

Hon Ernie Eves (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs):

I'll refer the question to the Minister of Health.

Hon Tony Clement (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care):

We have just obtained a copy of the report ourselves and are reviewing it in quite a detailed manner.

I can tell you that the last time this organization did take part in these examinations, some inaccuracies were found, for instance in Peterborough and Windsor.

I can tell you that in the 2002-03 budget, the Ernie Eves government has committed $250 million in additional funding for diagnostic services.

I can tell you that another report, the Fraser Institute report that was published recently, said that Ontario had the shortest waiting lists in Canada.

I will take this report as seriously as it deserves to be treated.

I understand there were some methodological issues that we will examine, and we will give it the fullest consideration.

Ms Martel:

Minister, I don't think you can underestimate how serious this situation is.

Let me give you some more examples: in Sault Ste Marie, people are waiting seven weeks for a mammogram.

Women who are at risk for osteoporosis are waiting 12 weeks in Sault Ste Marie, 10 weeks in Sudbury and seven weeks at the Scollard site in North Bay for a bone density test.

These waiting lists for these tests are repeated time and again right across the province in communities that are big or small and in community-based or large teaching hospitals.

You need to look seriously at these recommendations, and frankly you need to implement them as soon as possible.

Will you do that, Minister?

Hon Mr Clement:

I want to assure this House that the Ernie Eves government takes its responsibilities extremely seriously.

You mentioned mammography and the Ontario breast screening program.

My information is that the average waiting time to have mammography done is approximately one to two weeks, not the five, seven or nine weeks you just mentioned.

Again, I am confronted with this data; it seems to be at variance with data that has been put forward by other reputable organizations.

However, I take the report seriously.

I want to examine the report and ensure that data we are collecting from other independent sources is verifiable.

If this report uncovers some additional information, of course we'll take it seriously.

But I have to say this report is at variance with other independent tests that have been done of our health care system that have said Ontario is either the best or absolutely tied with the best with what is on offer in the rest of Canada, and we in this government are proud of our record.