Surgeries postponed for 179 people last week in Interior Health, Dix says

Photo: Province of B.C.

More than 150 surgeries were postponed last week in B.C.’s Interior due to pressure being placed on the healthcare system by surging COVID-19 case counts.

According to Health Minister Adrian Dix, 289 surgeries were postponed between Sept. 5 and Sept. 11, 179 of them in the Interior Health area.

Dix said he spoke over the weekend with some people who have been impacted by surgical postponements.

“It is stressful,” he acknowledged.

“When a surgery is cancelled, it is unbelievably stressful for the people involved, for their families and for their loved ones. And we want to do as little of that as possible.”

Dix said health officials will work hard to complete all postponed surgeries once it is safe to do so.

“When we’re back in full gear, we want to complete those surgeries as soon as possible,” he said.