WATCH: BC NDP pledges new MRI, CT machines, regional surgical waitlists

BC NDP leader David Eby is promising to add new diagnostic equipment and introduce coordinated regional surgical waitlists as part of his party’s plan to reduce health care wait times.

Eby announced Tuesday that an NDP government would add eight MRI machines and 10 CT scanners across the province, which the party says would increase BC’s diagnostic capacity by approximately 15%.

The plan would also introduce regional surgical waitlists designed to give patients more options when choosing where and by whom their procedure is performed.

Currently, surgical wait times can vary depending on the surgeon a patient is referred to. Under the proposed system, patients could choose to remain with a specific surgeon, receive care at the hospital closest to them or opt for the shortest available wait within their region.

“Waiting for a scan or surgery can mean living with pain and worrying every day about when you’ll finally get the call,” Eby said. “We need to do more to reduce wait times in BC.”

The BC NDP says research suggests coordinated waitlists could cut surgical wait times in half for most patients.

The diagnostic expansion would include Eagle Ridge Hospital’s first MRI machine, allowing patients in the Tri-Cities to receive scans locally rather than being transferred to another facility.

The party is also pledging new investments in robotic-assisted surgery and a “BC Health Passport” app that would allow patients to track referrals, see expected wait times and access health records from their phones.

Eby also said his government would continue recruiting health care professionals from the United States, with a focus on specialists, surgeons, medical laboratory technicians, and medical imaging technologists.

The announcement comes as health care spending emerges as an election issue between the BC NDP and BC Conservatives.

British Columbians head to the polls October 24.