Growing demand acknowledged for hip and knee surgery

Media Release
7 May 2015

Growing demand and complaints acknowledged for hip and knee surgery!

Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive Sandra Kirby today welcomed the news that more hip and knee operations have been promised. She was referring to the pre-Budget announcement by Health Minister Hon. Dr Jonathon Coleman that an extra $50 Million would be committed to orthopaedic and general surgery – and an additional $48 Million would be spent over four years to boost elective surgery, which would result in around an additional 4,000 operations per year.

“It is great to see the increase in elective surgery we have been promised,” she said. “But this is no time to be complacent. The increase in operations is unlikely to meet the needs of those already identified as needing operations. This number will rise, as the number of people with osteoarthritis is increasing, due to an increase in people’s weight, and an ageing population.”

“However, if the government wants to be able to help people with osteoarthritis, it also needs to invest in community based treatment for early/mild osteoarthritis, as there is good evidence that community based programmes can reduce demand for surgery ”, Ms Kirby concluded.

Arthritis New Zealand is the national organisation focussed on raising awareness of the more than 140 different forms of arthritis, advocating for those with the condition, and providing advice and support.

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