2nd Session, 43rd Legislature

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Bill 215

THE SPECIALIST WAIT TIME REPORTING ACT

(Assented to                                         )

WHEREAS Manitobans are entitled to timely access to health care that is appropriate and responsive to their needs;

AND WHEREAS delayed access to necessary health care often leads to further complications and may reduce the likelihood of a positive outcome;

AND WHEREAS the current average wait time for a person to see a medical specialist ranges from two to fifteen weeks, depending on the specialty, with many people waiting far longer;

AND WHEREAS wait times for specialist medical care are not reported to the public on a consistent basis;

AND WHEREAS public reporting of wait times will ensure that Manitobans are provided with complete and accurate information and will enhance engagement and accountability in the health care system;

THEREFORE HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1   The following definitions apply in this Act.

"minister" means the minister responsible for the administration of The Health System Governance and Accountability Act. (« ministre »)

"specialist" means a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba who is registered in a specialty field of practice listed in clause 2.10(2)(b) of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba General Regulation, Manitoba Regulation 163/2018. (« spécialiste »)

Ongoing reporting of wait times

2   For each six-month period beginning on July 1, 2025, and after that, the minister must report

(a) the total number of patients waiting for a specialist consultation by type of specialist; and

(b) for each type of specialist, the average wait time that a patient experiences, calculated beginning on the date the patient is first referred to the specialist and ending on the date the patient consults with the specialist.

Ongoing reporting on time to receive care

3   For each six-month period beginning on July 1, 2025, and after that, the minister must report, for each type of specialist, the average wait time that a patient experiences, calculated beginning on the date the patient first consults with the specialist and ending on the date the patient first receives specialist care.

Publication of reports on wait times

4(1)   The minister must publish on a publicly available government website

(a) the first report required under sections 2 and 3 on or before February 1, 2026; and

(b) each subsequent report required under sections 2 and 3 within 30 days after the end of the six-month period covered by the report.

Tabling report in the Assembly

4(2)   The minister must table a copy of a report published under subsection (1) in the Assembly on any of the first 15 days on which the Assembly is sitting after the minister publishes it.

C.C.S.M. reference

5   This Act may be referred to as chapter S192 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba.

Coming into force

6   This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.