NDP demands Wynne government take action on growing crisis in spine surgery wait times in London
October 19, 2016 Queen’s Park – During Question Period today, Peggy Sattler, MPP for London West, demanded action from the Wynne government to curb spine surgery wait times in London.
“We have a growing crisis with spine surgery wait times in London. And it just keeps getting worse under this Liberal government,” Sattler said.
“My constituent, Beverly Rodriguez, waited 6 months for an MRI. Then waited another 6 months to see a surgeon. Now she’s being told she’ll have to wait up to 9 more months to actually get the surgery she needs.”
Rodriguez wrote to Sattler and said, “In the time I have been waiting my symptoms have worsened and I have increasingly experienced a tremendous amount of pain which has caused me to go to emergency 4 times. My life has deteriorated.”
“I have met with the London Health Sciences Centre. I have met with surgeons. I have met with the Southwest LHIN, and most importantly, I have listened to Londoners,” Sattler said. “My question is, what has this Liberal government done to fix this problem and help people like Beverly?”
Sattler said people should not have to live with excruciating pain while waiting up to two years for spine surgery in London.
“Wait times are growing in London because this Liberal government refuses to provide proper funding for surgeries in our city,” Sattler said. “When will the Liberals stop ignoring people in London – and start to properly fund health care so people get the surgeries they so desperately need?”