Ontario's health care monopoly almost killed Lindsay McCreith. After suffering a seizure in January, 2006, the 66-year-old Newmarket resident was told he had a brain tumour. But he would have to wait four-and-a-half months to obtain an MRI to rule out the possibility that it was cancerous. Unwilling to risk the progression of what might be cancer, Mr. McCreith obtained an MRI in Buffalo, which revealed the tumour was malignant. Even with this diagnosis in hand, the Ontario system still refused to provide timely treatment, so Mr. McCreith had surgery in Buffalo to remove the cancerous brain tumour in March, 2006.
Andy Barrie spoke with Lindsay McCreith. The retired Newmarket man was told he would have to wait for more than four months for an MRI.Listen. (Runs 6:59)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
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This very important story onlyheps to embody how perverse our priorities are (i.e., we are investing heavily in eyes, hips and knees at the expense of access to lifesaving procedures).
Its telling that after viewing the Creighton video on YouTube, it is entirely likely that 99.5 out of 100 Ontarians awaiting a new hip or knee or cataract removal would probably give up their place in the elective queue in favour of someone waiting for emergency brain tumour surgery.
But the big debate is not framed in that way, is it?
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