Canad HOSPITAL waiting lists are increasing steadily across Canada, says The Fraser Institute’s annual sur- vey, “Waiting Your ase. oe ans Wal Gap between referral and treatment jumps 27 Turn: Hospital Waiting Lists in Canada.” The ninth edition of the survey, released on Sept. 16, indicates that more Canadians were waiting to receive med- ical treatment in 1998 than in 1997. According to the study, 212,990 Canadians were wait- ing for surgical procedures, 3 13% increase from the 1997 estimate of 187,799. And patients endured a fag time last year of over three months berween secing a GP and getting an appointment with a specialist. “Obviously patients who are unable to sce a specialist are effectively screened from receiving treatment. This form of health care rationing is increasingly The heal Gayle Cocke Contributing Weiter EVEN if you know nothing about Aromatherapy, chances are you’ve probably heard about Tea Tree. Originating in Australia, Tea Tree has been used by Aborigines for centuries. For the past 10 years, it’s been aggressively marketed in a staggering array of com- mercial health and body preparations. Just visit your local health food store to find Tea Tree listed as a major ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash, lotions, shampoos, lip balms, nger for occurring in Canada,” says Martin Zelder, co-author of the study. British Columbia and Quebec had the shortest waits ia the country for specialist consultations, while Prince Edward Island had the longest. in only wo provinces — Quebec and Newfoundland — did waiting time to see 3 specialist. decrease compared to 1997. As for the interval between a patient’s consultation with a specialist and hospital treat- ment, in Canada as 2 whole it increased from 6.8 weeks in 1997 to 7.3 weeks in 1998 — a 7.4% increase. In 1993, the wait for treat- ment after having scen a spe- cialist was 5.6 weeks. Compared to 1997, the waiting time berwcen ceferral and treatment increased in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Newfoundland. The largest increases were 27% in British Columbia and 19% in Saskatchewan. The most substantial decrease in waiting time from specialist to treatment occurred in Prince Edward Island, with a decrease uf 29%, to 5.2 weeks. “The disturbing trend of growing waiting times in most provinces implies that these expectant patients are increas- ingly likely to be disappoint- ed,” says Dr. Michael Walker, executive director of The Fraser Institute. “Even more discouraging is the evidence presented in the study that provinces that spend more on health care are not rewarded with shorter waiting times.” “The existence of lengthy waiting times is a potential indictment of government intervention in the medical system. ; “At the very least, waiting lists certainly represent au important barometer of the performance of the health care system,” says Zelder, adding that Canadians are “desperately concerned with - the general state of the health care system.” : The survey can be viewed at The Fraser, Insitute Web site: . ing power of teatree foot creams, salves and deodorant. Irs healing reputation is well-deserved as it is only one of a few “Mega- Essences” which are antibac- terial, antiviral and anti-fun- gal all at the same time. Tea Tree can truly be thought of as aromatic first aid in a bottle. It strengthens and stimu- lates the immune system to ward off a broad spectrum of infections, and should be used at the first sign of a cold, flu or sore throat (an excellent companion to the popular Echinacea). Tea Tree’s anti-fungal properties have shown great promise in combatting feel better Sor 30 years Assessment, education and treatment far major and minor aches and pains Ye Manual therapy > Muscle balancing and re-education » lates’ method of condifiening > Computerized gait anclysis > Continence re-education (Frances Hollington « Margaret Bruce * Margaret Martin) >» Traditicaa! Chinese Acupuncture (Patrick Quon) The Physiotherapy Clinic Monday-Friday 7am-7pra; Saturday Sam-lpm 151 East 15th Street, North Van 987-7644 “Tea Tree can truly be thought of as aromatic first aid in a bottle...use it at the first sign of a cold or flu” mould and mildew, Candida and other yeast infections like Thrush. ; It can scothe acne, and. may be used undiluted on blemishes. ; Although it can be safely applied to skin on its own, I recommend diluting Tea”. Tree with Aloe Veza gei-to: avoid drying out the skin. Its antiseptic effect is at.” . least four times stronger than”: ° standard househoid cleaners, : so it can be a great help ‘in| the kitchen, bathroom, hun- | dry room, sickroom, pet areas, etc. cace you get used: to its extremely powerful; medicinal smell. a The main factar when choosing a Tea Tree is its freshness — and of course, whether it’s pleasing to your. .- nose! om, aon : “— Gayle Cooke, owner: af: Uncommon Scents” (phon 328-7275), is currently teach: ing savomatherapy courses at. Capilano College. oe