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By Pete McIntyre

Non-urgent surgeries postponed

Mar 18, 2020 | 11:04 AM

Interior Health will immediately begin postponing non-urgent scheduled surgeries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Urgent and emergency procedures will not be impacted.

Patients with scheduled surgeries will be contacted by an IH booking clerk.

In addition, for gastrointestinal and endoscopy procedures, patients may be contacted by their surgeon’s office.

Patients should wait to be contacted directly about their procedure.

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Some surgeries, including those related to cancer and scheduled caesarean sections, will not be impacted.

Patients will be contacted to confirm date and time.

“IH recognizes the significant impact of postponing surgeries,” a news release said. “However, this is a necessary step to ensure we have enough hospital capacity for those affected by COVID-19, should we see a rapid increase in demand like other countries have experienced.”

Interior Health will assess the action over the coming weeks and will advise patients when their procedure is rebooked.

The BC Centre for Disease Control is the recommended resource for provincial information that is accurate and current.

Interior Health also has frequently updated information on its website.

by Pete McIntyre
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