Extra back surgery funding coming

The province is about to whittle down the wait list for back surgery by fast-tracking some procedures, but the planned funding boost isn't nearly big enough, according to one Calgary clinic. 

Alberta Health Services will pay for about 30 extra spinal surgeries over the next few months, with the exact numbers due to be announced soon.

"They are assessing case loads and talking with doctors who perform these surgeries and they will determine an exact number and we'll roll that out in a week or two," said Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky.

But a bigger cash infusion is needed to meaningfully shrink the two-year waiting list for some back operations, according to the Mark Lewis, director of operations at the Caleo Health spine care clinic in Calgary.

"We see that a temporary fix would just create that same situation again and again," he said.

Orthopedic and neurological surgeons are only able to do back operations about one day per week because of limited space in operating rooms.

"It's not just a question of determining how many more you want to do on your own. It has to be done in conjunction with the surgeons and the support staff and of course the availability of space," Zwozdesky said.

Patient Kenneth Litchfield, who suffers constant back pain after falling on some ice, is facing a 10-month wait before he even gets a consultation with a surgeon.

He's been told it could then be up to a year before his surgery is scheduled, he said. 

"It's extremely tough to imagine another year even, but to imagine two years or 15 months, however long, I wouldn't wish what I'm in right now on any person," said the accomplished mountain climber, who is now looking into private health-care options.