Regional Joint Replacement Program Receives $275, 280
Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries Being Added in Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances
In order to minimize wait times for hip and knee replacement surgery at the hospitals in Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances, the North West Local Health Integration (LHIN) Board has approved $275,280 in additional one-time funding for the regional joint replacement program.
The funding will collectively provide 40 more surgeries at Dryden Regional Health Centre, Lake of the Woods District Hospital and Riverside Health Care Facilities in 2010/11, for a total of 203 cases.
Wait times for hip and knee replacement surgeries in the North West LHIN are lower than provincial target of 182 days. As of December 2010, wait times were 173 days and 166 days respectively for hip and knee surgery.
This funding will continue to support the hospitals to reduce wait times for surgeries for individuals in the Kenora/Rainy River District. The regional joint program is a collaborative program between the three hospitals to provide these needed surgeries closer to home.
The North West LHIN is responsible for planning, integrating and funding local health services – hospitals, long term care facilities, the community care access centre, community health centres, community support services and mental health and addictions agencies. The North West LHIN and its Board of Directors are responsible for over $560 million of health care services delivered in Northwestern Ontario.
