A 15 month pilot project on children's' surgery wait times has been initiated by the Harper government.

 

They'll spend 2.6 million dollars to develop acceptable wait times to be applied nationally.

 

Dr. Denis Fortier of the Central Regional Health Authority thinks it's a worthwhile project, even though health is a provincial responsibility.

 

He says it's a cost-saving for the province and will develop a national benchmark when it comes to kids' surgery wait times.

 

Fortier doesn't expect the project will see wait times improve just yet. He notes the result will likely be a series of recommendations.

 

However, Fortier wouldn't be surprised if it prompted independent, minor improvements within the healthcare system.