Anesthesiologists working up to 100 hours a week: BC society
Posted March 24, 2011 5:33 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS1130) – Fewer anesthesiologists in the Fraser Health region means patients are waiting longer to get the surgeries they need.
“The work-life balance isn’t appropriate,” says Dr. James Helliwell, president of the BC Anesthesiologists’ Society. “The hours of work are much too long.”
“The continuous number of days of work — up to 21 days in a row, 80-100 hours a week — is simply more than they’re willing to do, particularly when they put the cost of living in the balance,” he adds.
Helliwell says operating room closures are on the rise because of this. He tells us Surrey Memorial has had over 280 operating room days lost in the last year. “In Abbotsford Hospital, this month alone, we’re seeing 31 operating room days lost. So, these are a lot of patients not getting their surgeries in a timely fashion.”
He argues better working conditions are necessary to recruit more professionals to the province.
