The Middlesex Hospital Alliance Board of Directors recently approved an operational plan to strengthen its Surgical Program and add a third orthopaedic surgeon in order to sustain and expand the range of surgeries beyond what is currently available for patients to include upper extremity joint reconstruction such as wrist fractures and shoulder surgery.
“We recognize that people want to receive high-quality, comprehensive patient care, close to home. The MHA is looking to provide a greater range of service as a leading site of orthopaedic excellence for patients,” said Cheryl Waters, Chair of the Board of Directors for the MHA.
In 2012, the MHA was lauded for having some of the highest performance levels in Ontario when it comes to complexity of orthopaedic surgical cases among medium sized community hospitals. This was detailed in a report completed by Sullivan Healthcare Consultants, an independent perioperative consulting service.
With unanimous approval from the Board, MHA officials have started negotiations with a third orthopaedic surgeon with a focus on upper extremities; shoulder revision, hand and upper extremity disorders and arthroscopy. This surgeon will join an outstanding team which already includes specialists in primary and revision joint replacement, fracture surgery, and orthopaedic trauma.
Since the total joint replacement ‘hip and knee’ program started in 2006, the MHA has increased its surgical capacity within the SW LHIN, supporting one of the main priorities to decrease wait times and improve access to care as part of the Wait-Time Strategy set by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The MHA also recognized that expansion of its surgical program is a ‘centre of achievement’ and a priority in its strategic plan.
“We hope to have this new surgeon in place by the spring,” added Nancy Maltby, Chief Operating Officer. “Further strengthening our orthopaedic program will be transformative for patients. The addition of another surgeon coupled with enhanced services means fewer residents will have to travel to other hospitals for surgery.”