Better access to cancer care needed

QUEEN’S PARK – In question period Monday, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell urged the provincial government to take action to improve access to medical testing and treatment for Northern Ontarians, after the roadblocks faced by a Kenora-area resident made headlines across the province.

“Last week, my constituent, Wes Bland was in the news across Ontario because of the roadblocks he faced in accessing a doctor-ordered PET scan. Mr. Bland was forced to make the long six hour drive to Thunder Bay instead of a much shorter trip to Winnipeg,” explained Campbell.

“My office has regularly been in touch with the Minister’s office since September, alerting her to the urgency of Mr. Bland’s case and the problems he was experiencing accessing cancer care.”

Campbell says Bland’s trouble accessing testing and treatment is an all-to-common experience for residents of her riding, who often have serious trouble getting cancer treatment in Manitoba, despite a reciprocal billing agreement between the two provincial governments. Campbell called on the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to take action.

“Can the Minister explain why her office didn’t take steps to ensure Mr. Bland could quickly access the care he needed close to home, despite the Minister’s knowledge that he was being denied this care?” asked Campbell.

Campbell called on the Minister to remedy the delays for all patients, not just on a case-by-case basis.

“Despite the Minster’s assurances that the problem is ‘corrected,’ Manitoba Health continues to insist that Ontario patients still have to receive prior-approval for out-of-province procedures such as PET scans, as stated in their memo,” said Campbell.

“Minster Matthews claims to have fixed the problem, but has she really fixed when people still have to wait weeks for Ministry approval for PET scans to be conducted in Winnipeg?,” asked Campbell.

“Or will Ontarians continue to be forced to go to the Toronto Star so that care is provided in a timely manner, close to home?”