Addressing Challenges to Surgical Care

This opportunity for engagement is now closed. Thank you to all who participated. See a summary of key themes from the feedback in our What we Heard report.

Read our final policy statement on Addressing Challenges to Surgical Care, published in November 2022.

In 2022, Doctors of BC’s Council on Health Economics and Policy (CHEP) developed a policy statement addressing the recent and ongoing issues contributing to mounting surgical care challenges in BC. The statement recognizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated existing issues.

CHEP sought feedback from Surgery and Anesthesiology specialists on the recommendations and commitments outlined in the draft statement to ensure they accurately reflected their concerns and the challenges they face.

Via a survey and comment board, members shared their thoughts and concerns on growing wait lists, surgical wait-times for BC patients, and burdens on surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and other health care providers.


In 2022, Doctors of BC’s Council on Health Economics and Policy (CHEP) developed a policy statement addressing the recent and ongoing issues contributing to mounting surgical care challenges in BC. The statement recognizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated existing issues.

CHEP sought feedback from Surgery and Anesthesiology specialists on the recommendations and commitments outlined in the draft statement to ensure they accurately reflected their concerns and the challenges they face.

Via a survey and comment board, members shared their thoughts and concerns on growing wait lists, surgical wait-times for BC patients, and burdens on surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and other health care providers.