B.C. doctor applauds funding, plan for life-altering Parkinson’s related surgeries
Posted February 5, 2019 11:11 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – People living with severe Parkinson’s could soon have more access to a life-altering surgery.
The province has announced more money and a five-point plan to nearly double the number of deep brain stimulation surgeries.
That’s great news for Doctor Chris Honey, the province’s only neurosugeon who can perform the around eight-hour long procedure.
“This would be a quantum leap. This is essentially an overnight success that was 20 years in the works,” he said on Tuesday in Vancouver.
“[The surgery] is incredible tough for the patients, they’re so brave to allow someone to drill two holes in their head and place platinum wires in their brain,” Honey added.
He says between 30 and 40 of these surgeries are performed every year in B.C.
“I’ve been asking for incremental increases, and over the last 20 years we’ve gone from a budget of basically $100,000 to $1 million.”
The province says hiring another surgeon, booking more surgery times, creating a centralized wait list, and all the equipment will cost $1.7 million annually.
Honey says neurosurgeons from around the world come to B.C. to train with him and his team.
He adds it’s a team effort, explaining more team members will help him and others in a big way.
“If we’re supposed to increase our work, we need a little bit more nursing help,” he told NEWS 1130. “Because without them, we can’t do our work. They’re crucial.”
On whether Honey will now take some time off, he says “no, there’s no rest for the wicked.”
“I’m happy to look after [the patients].”
