Access to Surgery in British Columbia, the Cutting Edge : January 15-16, 2009 conference report

Page 3 Access to Surgery in BC | The Cutting Edge EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On January 15th and 16th, 2009, health care leaders involved in surgical access from across British Columbia took part in Access to Surgery in British Columbia | The Cutting Edge, a conference hosted by the BC Ministry of Health Services, in collaboration with BC health authorities and the British Columbia Medical Association. [...] Three presentations from the UK reviewed their efforts to reduce wait times and ensure timely access to surgery from the perspectives of a business working with government, the National Health Service, and a health care trust:. [...] Page 7 Access to Surgery in BC | The Cutting Edge INTRODUCTION On January 15th and 16th, 2009, health professionals—including surgeons, anesthesiologists, family physicians, nurses and managers—joined health care leaders from British Columbia, Canada and the UK to participate in Access to Surgery in British Columbia | The Cutting Edge, a conference hosted by the BC Ministry of Health Services, in [...] Opening remarks The Honourable George Abbott, Minister of Health Services Minister Abbott acknowledged BC health authorities and the BCMA, partners in developing the conference, and welcomed national and international guests to the event. [...] Despite system improvements, a central question remains: how can we collectively do better to address the needs of the surgical patient and improve timely access along the care continuum, from the general practitioner to surgeon to diagnostic services to the operating room and recovery?