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Ontario’s doctors offer solution for wait times

Arthritis can’t wait, and that’s why we’re pleased to see to today’s report on surgery wait times from the Ontario Medical Association

The recommendations align with the Arthritis Society’s own report on joint replacement wait times, released in July 2021, that was informed by clinical experts from across the country. 

It’s time to start thinking outside the box to find solutions to long surgical wait times – many of which we were facing before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We need to see wait times for hip and knee replacements reduced. For many, the wait can mean agonizing pain, reduced mobility, inability to work and depression.   

We are also calling for the creation of a Canadian Task Force to make this a top priority and address the wait times crisis in Canada. While health care is a provincial responsibility, only a national task force can bring together clinical, health system, government, industry and patient leaders from across the country to collaborate, share and learn from one another to implement real changes for all Canadians.  

We need national benchmarks and standards of care to be able to compare and measure if we’re making things better for patients.  

We want – and need – to stop the wait.

Trish Barbato
President and CEO
Arthritis Society

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