*** Note: Ashwak Sirri said they found out they don't have permission to speak to the media regarding the RFP, but are in the process of applying.
A Nanaimo ophthalmologist is hoping to establish a centre on Bowen Road to offer various day surgeries to help alleviate the log jam at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Island Health has issued a request for proposals seeking providers to deliver publicly-funded surgical day care and possibly screening and surveillance colonoscopy on Central Vancouver Island, with the aim of freeing up operating rooms and reducing wait times and Dr. Bill Johnston, of Pacific Coast Eye Centre, is part of a group submitting a bid.
Pediatric dentistry, orthopedics, general surgery, plastic surgery, dental surgery and anaesthesia have committed themselves to be supportive of this, said Johnston.
The need as there, especially in the ophthalmology (eye disease) field, said Johnston, pointing to numbers from the Province of B.C. As of Oct. 31, the longest waitlist in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital was for cataract surgery with 2,516 people.
Johnson says he's determining which of the order of patients will receive treatment according to those whose work or driving privileges are threatened or those that have problems that could deteriorate quickly. Those who don't, stand to wait more than the 33.9 weeks and even upwards of 15 months, he said.
It doesn't only apply to his field of expertise either, said Johnston.
“Endoscopy is a big thing with the recent [fecal immunochemical] testing, which is looking at fecal blood as a screen test for colon cancer and it's been mandated that if someone has a [positive test], then they have to have colonoscopy within a certain amount of time and follow-up colonoscopies,” said Johnston.
Another procedure that wouldn’t be immediately addressed, but one Johnston hopes can be addressed by the facility is total hip and knee replacement, as he is hearing from his colleagues that there is a three-year wait once a patient gets on the list.
In an email, Allison Dormuth, Island Health director of surgical services, said there is nothing new about Island Health partnering with the private providers to carry out daycare procedures. The surgeries are still publicly funded and patients aren't being charged.
The request for proposals closes on Friday (Dec. 23). said Dormuth.