The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, is providing an update on innovative initiatives that increase access to health care for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, such as chartered flights for cardiac catheterization procedures, government’s travelling orthopaedic program, and same day hip and knee replacement surgeries.

In addition to standard service delivery, these innovative approaches to managing waitlists for orthopaedic surgeries and cardiac catheterization procedures help to reduce wait times and improve access to care for patients who are clinically eligible.

Highlights of the programs include:

• As of July 4, 2023, 124 joint replacement surgeries (70 hip and 54 knee replacement surgeries) have been completed as outpatient procedures since December 2022, including 101 that have resulted in same-day discharges;
• Sixty-two patients were transported on eight flights via a same-day fly-in/fly-out service from the health authority’s Western and Labrador-Grenfell Zones for cardiac catheterization procedures in St. John’s; and
• Sixty-seven orthopaedic surgeries were completed in St. Anthony by the travelling orthopaedic program from St. John’s. This initiative has the potential to book more than 120 patients per year from the provincial waitlist who would otherwise have to wait to get their surgeries in St. John’s.

These initiatives have made it easier and quicker for people to access health care services. They also result in more available beds in hospitals, which reduces wait times in emergency rooms by providing quicker admissions for patients in need of further care and treatment.

In addition to addressing surgical backlogs and increasing access to health care, completing orthopaedic surgeries in St. Anthony and bringing patients to St. John’s for cardiac catheterization procedures has significantly decreased travel expenses for patients and their families. Work is ongoing to expand the travelling orthopaedic surgery team into Carbonear later this summer, as well as looking to offer even more orthopaedic services in other zones throughout the province.

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“Our government continues to work with stakeholders to create a more efficient health care system. Our Heart Force One flights, travelling orthopaedic team, and same day hip and knee replacement surgeries are ensuring patients get the care they need in a more timely manner. We are creating solutions, seeing positive results and are committed to reimagining the delivery of health care in our province to create a healthier future.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

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Learn more
Creative Solutions Continue to Promote Access to Health Care in Newfoundland and Labrador

Initiatives Aim to Increase Capacity for Orthopaedic Surgery in Newfoundland and Labrador

First Surgeries Performed in St. Anthony Under Travelling Orthopaedic Program

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