More Nova Scotians to Get Hip, Knee Replacements

Government has invested $1.9 million to help 160 more Nova Scotians get orthopedic surgeries.

"Reducing wait times for orthopedic surgery is a priority," said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. "This investment will get surgeries done for the people who have been waiting the longest and will eventually shorten the wait list overall."

The investment brings the total funding for reducing orthopedic wait times this year to $8.1 million for more than 800 additional procedures and system improvements. Since 2013, these new investments have supported an additional 2200 surgeries.

"My surgical colleagues and all of those on the teams providing orthopedic care before and after surgery know the difference it makes to the growing number of Nova Scotians who need it," said Dr. Eric Howatt, Western Zone surgery department head for the Nova Scotia Health Authority and co-chair of the Provincial Orthopedic Working Group. "We are committed to continuously improving the quality of and access to orthopedic surgery in the province, using all of the resources within the health authority as effectively as we can."

The money will increase capacity for assessments, pay for materials used in surgeries, and cover physician costs, allowing them to use available operating room time. Procedures include hip and knee replacements, foot and ankle procedures, and pediatric spinal surgeries at the IWK Health Centre.

In addition to this investment, the redevelopment of the QEII Health Sciences Centre includes changes in how and where surgeries are performed to improve efficiency and reduce wait times.

Information about wait times for orthopedic surgery and other services is available at waittimes.novascotia.ca .