Tories Demand Specific Health Strategy to Prevent Surgeon Shortages

A shortage of surgeons at the Brandon Regional Health Centre has prompted calls for a tailored health-care strategy for the Westman region. Kathleen Cook, the Progressive Conservative health critic, emphasized that immediate action is necessary to prevent similar situations in the future.

The hospital faced a 24-hour period without a surgeon, which left patients with limited options: wait for care, travel to Dauphin, or seek treatment in Winnipeg. “We can’t have things like this happening at a regional hospital,” Cook stated, underlining the urgency of the issue.

Cook, who represents Winnipeg’s Roblin constituency, highlighted that this is not an isolated incident. She pointed out that a “Westman-specific health-care strategy” should include solutions proposed by front-line doctors. Among these suggestions are a residency rotation in Brandon and targeted incentives to attract medical professionals to the area.

The situation was brought to light during a question period in the legislature, where Cook and Wayne Balcaen, the Brandon West PC MLA, raised concerns about the hospital’s staffing issues. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara responded by attributing the crisis to the “abysmal” health-care record of the Progressive Conservative Party. Balcaen expressed worry that without immediate surgical intervention, critical patients could face dire consequences. “If somebody had a burst appendix or a bleed, there would be no immediate intervention,” he said.

In response to concerns about the surgeon shortage, Asagwara confirmed that no patient transfers occurred during the 24-hour period without surgical coverage. “Our first priority is always to find local coverage for Brandon,” Asagwara stated via email. He noted that contingency plans are in place to ensure continuous patient care, while also acknowledging the ongoing staffing shortages in the region.

The health minister mentioned recent efforts, including the addition of 10 new medical training seats in Brandon, aimed at improving physician recruitment. The government is also working on updating regulations to facilitate the practice of internationally trained doctors in the area. “These are concrete steps to build up the workforce and ensure patients in Brandon and the entire region get the care they need close to home,” Asagwara added.

Dr. Adrian Fung, vice-president of medical services and chief medical officer of Prairie Mountain Health, emphasized that the health authority is actively planning coverage for surgical services. He noted that this planning continues right up until the day of need.

The issue of surgeon shortages is not new in the region. In mid-August 2023, Prairie Mountain Health faced another doctor shortage that required urgent communication to physicians about filling vacancies for emergency room shifts. Despite these challenges, the authority managed to secure coverage.

Cook criticized the provincial government for failing to address the ongoing health care crisis effectively. “If you look at metrics like wait times and vacancies, things are getting worse,” she remarked. She insisted that the lack of general surgery coverage in Brandon should have been anticipated and prevented.

As the situation develops, the call for a specific health-care strategy for Westman becomes increasingly urgent. The community’s health depends on a responsive approach that addresses the unique challenges faced by regional hospitals.