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Fraser facing fines for delayed surgeries Jeff Nagel Black Press Fraser Heatlh is under fire for ordering its surgeons to reassess patients in an attempt to avoid steep fines for failing to complete surgeries within one year. Leaked documents released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation show Fraser is already facing fines of more than $2.5 million for 650 scheduled surgeries that were waiting more than a year as of Oct. 9, while another 4,124 surgeries have waited six to 12 months. A Nov. 4 memo to surgeons directs them to begin reassessing patients who have waited more than 40 weeks. “It is imperative for the interest of all, including our patients, that we use every available strategy to avoid penalties,” Dr. Peter Blair, Fraser Health’s medical director for surgery states in the memo, which is also signed by Judith Hockney, Fraser’s executive director for surgery programs. The memo says long waits have eased somewhat, with 4.5 per cent of surgeries now exceeding 52 weeks compared to 10 per cent a year ago. But there are still excessive waits triggering financial penalties, which are levied by the health ministry under its pay-for-performance system. In an interview, Blair defended the decision to reassess patients and rejected suggestions from CTF B.C. director Jordan Bateman that the move is strictly a tactic to skirt fines by either resetting or pausing the waits in long-delayed cases. “What we’re trying to do is remind the surgeon that that patient has been there for 40 weeks and they better be getting them done,” Blair said, adding he’s upset with the CTF accusation. He said the patient doesn’t lose their place in line, nor is their recorded wait frozen to avoid a fine. Bateman argued reassessments are unnecessary and wasteful, accusing Continued: HEALTH/ p7
Search and Rescue officials are warning people to stay back from the murky and turbid Chilliwack-Vedder River. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Heavy rains pose river danger: SAR Jennifer Feinberg The Progress The swollen ChilliwackVedder River this week looked like chocolate milk. That’s when the public should make a point of staying well away from the edge of local creeks and rivers, said Doug Fraser, search manager for Chilliwack Search and Rescue. “It’s a good time to get people thinking,” he said on Wednesday. “The river is raging right now.” The roiling waters of the Chilliwack-Vedder system are common occurrence every fall as the heavy rains return. It’s usually just before the mercury dips below zero on a regular basis. It’s mostly anglers who might
take to the river at this time of year, fishing for the coho and chum which are coming through. But water levels have been rising rapidly, according to the Chilliwack river hydrometric gauge at the Vedder bridge. There were two rainfall warnings this week. Since Tuesday the river has risen more than 70 cm. Correspondingly, the fishermen appear to have been staying away from the riverbanks in the past few days. “I’ve noticed there were very few cars parked by the river this week. I think people get it,” said Fraser. If possible avoid the rivers and creeks in the area, stay back at least 10 metres, and always
wear a PFD. “In terms of fishing, the chances of catching a fish goes way down in these conditions,” he noted. The turbidity and reduced visibility make it hard. Chilliwack SAR is consistently the second busiest search and rescue team in British Columbia, Fraser pointed out. So it makes sense to come out with some prevention messaging for river users right now. SAR officials have studied the team’s callout patterns, to help with prevention and safety. Several fatalities have been reported in past years and rescue officials want to get the word out to prevent more needless drownings or injuries. “We noticed that some of the calls at this time of year are
for fisherman who may have underestimated the power of the water, or walked into a spot and got trapped when the river comes up and they’re unable to return to shore.” People on Chilliwack’s most popular trail, the Vedder Rotary Trail, should also keep an eye on their pets and young children. “If you are on the trail with children, hold them by the hand, and make sure your pets are leashed when the river is raging like this.” Levels should be dropping by late December, but in the mean time, keep and eye out. Continue to pay attention to rain fall warnings and river conditions, the SAR volunteer added. jfeinberg@theprogress.com twitter.com/chwkjourno
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