The introduction of hip and knee replacement surgery at sites outside the metro region has helped to knock down wait lists in the province, but more needs to be done.
The Chief of Orthopedics in the eastern urban zone is recommending that government adopt a concept used in eight other provinces – which is, the creation of a dedicated centre for hip and knee surgeries.
Dr. William Moores says the expansion of services to satellite sites in St. Anthony and Carbonear have helped.
He says when the “St. Anthony Orthopedic Blitz started, they were completing about 70 (procedures) a year. Between the local physician and our traveling groups right now we’re doing about 240 there a year.”
Moores says they also do about 400 surgeries in Carbonear each year.
He says outpatient surgeries are also making a difference by allowing some patients to has their surgery and go home the same day.
While “that hasn’t necessarily added to the total number of cases that we’re able to do in the urban area…it has certainly helped decrease the number of bed cancellations that we have had,” making the system more efficient.
In the meantime, the aging population means the demand for hip and knee surgery is growing and he believes wait lists could be knocked down in a timelier manner with the creation of a dedicated hip and knee centre in the metro region.
