Nova Scotia aims to cut wait times for knee, hip replacements

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is moving to significantly cut Canada’s worst wait times for hip and knee replacements, as it strives to meet the national standard over the next four years — or possibly earlier.

Health Minister Randy Delorey said Friday that a $6.4 million commitment would allow an additional 500 people to get surgeries this year.

The current wait times: Around 620 days for hip replacements, and about 737 for knees.

“Money alone will not solve this challenge,’’ said Delorey. “We are also changing how we do things ... making better use of our operating rooms and freeing up more hours for surgery.’’

Delorey said the funding would be used to hire four surgeons and four anaesthetists, purchase new equipment and hire support staff. It would also be used for a centralized booking process.

Dr. Eric Howatt, senior medical director of perioperative services for the Nova Scotia Health Authority, said surgeons will also work longer hours and weekends to help clear the backlog.

Howatt, co-chair of the provincial orthopedic working group, said he believes the push will enable the province to reach the six-month national standard on an even more ambitious timeline.

“With what has been announced and with the new proposals, if I answer that question truthfully I will say April 2020. That is what we built into the request (to government) — we just have to achieve it.’’

Delorey said the funding was for the current fiscal year that ends in April and that additional money could be spent over time.

A March report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information said national wait times for joint replacement remained relatively unchanged last year, with 75 per cent of patients receiving hip or knee replacement surgery within the 182day benchmark.