Penalizing the Southern Interior because it has an older population doesn't seem like good management of B.C.'s health-care dollars, but that's the bottom line for Interior Health.
IH had $3.4 million in "incentive" funding slashed because it failed to meet the province's goals for hip, knee and cataract surgery waiting times last year.
To get the bonus funding, health authorities must perform surgeries on 90 per cent of their hip and knee patients within 26 weeks, and 90 per cent of their cataract patients within 16 weeks. IH came close, but now - without the additional funding - it will be even harder to catch up.
This was the first time Interior Health did not meet the targets since the program started seven years ago.
"It's really hard to get ahead of it again. It's taking us a bit of time to turn this Titanic around," said IH chief financial officer Donna Lommer.
The task is Titanic, indeed.
With less funding, IH is essentially penalized because this region is a retirement destination and we have more seniors who place a greater burden on health-care resources and require more surgeries.
Interior Health readily admits it won't hit the provincial targets this year, either. That's not much incentive to do better.
Perhaps the province ought to consider changing its funding formula to shorten wait lists in regions where backlogs are greatest rather than rewarding those already able to meet demand.
- Managing Editor
Jon Manchester