CKPG News

By Taya Fast

Thousands waiting for orthopedic surgery

Jul 21, 2021 | 5:23 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Orthopedic surgery covers anyone who needs surgery on their joints or their bones. The specialty is facing a massive backlog of patients who are needing surgery and a group of surgeons are calling for action.

There are approximately 19, 000 patients awaiting surgery in the province and the average wait time is just over 34 weeks.

The campaign called Fast Track Care has opened the door for patients to advocate for themselves.

The surgeons say that it is not a ‘blanket fix’ as the healthcare industry is facing shortages across the board that is affecting the number of surgeries that can be performed, including here in Northern Health.

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Most patients will wait for their turn on the operating table but others are leaving their city to find help elsewhere. Those in Prince George are often traveling the eight hours to Kelowna or Vancouver for shorter wait times.