Wed, 26 May 2004
May 26 2004
Orthopaedic Surgeons Welcome Funding Boost
Many New Zealanders with arthritic conditions will benefit from the $70 million funding boost for orthopaedic surgery
announced today by the Government, says the body representing orthopaedic surgeons, the New Zealand Orthopaedic
Association.
NZOA President, Mr. Barry Tietjens, says the NZOA welcomes the Government's announcement of such a substantial and
sustainable funding boost. He says the initiative is good news for those who had waited too long for treatment or who
had been unable to receive treatment due to lengthy waiting lists. "New Zealand lags behind other countries such as
Australia and the United Kingdom in our low treatment rate for people with musculo-skeletal conditions," he said. "The
Government's approach of setting a clear target and progressively funding this over a number of years significantly
increases the chances of successfully sustaining this effort."
The NZOA had collaborated with the Ministry of Health on the initiative, which had been strongly influenced by research
carried out by the NZOA last year into the effect of the ageing population on orthopaedic conditions and the release of
a report "The Ageing of New Zealand."
The report, presented by the immediate past president of the NZOA, Professor Geoffrey Horne, highlighted the predicted
burden on the health system generated by the over 60s, who are expected to comprise just under one in three New
Zealanders by 2051.
"Musculo-skeletal problems are directly linked to increasing age," said Professor Horne. "As the numbers of elderly and
their longevity increases, greater numbers of surgical interventions such as hip and knee replacements will be required
and the numbers disabled by arthritis and osteoporosis will significantly increase."
Mr. Tietjens says that increasing orthopaedic services was not just dependent on orthopaedic surgeons. The full
engagement and support of District Health Board management and clinicians was crucial to the success of the initiative.
ENDS