Multi-million dollar boost for hip and knee replacements

1.00pm

The number of hip and knee replacement operations is set to double thanks to a multi-million budget boost announced today.

Health Minister Annette King said the number of operations was projected to increase from the current 4665 operations over the next four years to more than 9300.

The project would cost $30 million in 2004-05, buying an extra 1890 operations. By 2007-08 the annual cost would increase to $70 million.

Ms King said the project would help some people get back to work.

"People in need of hip or knee replacements are often severely limited in their ability to work or live a normal life because of the pain and disability they suffer," she said.

"The project also recognises New Zealand's ageing population, and the lifestyle benefits resulting from people being able to continue taking an active part in society."

In the longer-term, preventive measures such as better diet and more exercise would help reduce the impact of major joint disease but they would not help people who needed major joint replacements now, Ms King said.

The package would also include nursing scholarships for each district health board to enable orthopaedic nurses to expand their skills and contribute to the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association's joint register.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the increase in the number of hip and knee replacements would bring "huge" relief to thousands of New Zealanders in pain.

"Major joint replacements are the only treatment option for patients with high levels of immobility and crippling pain," she said.

"These operations dramatically improve the quality of life by relieving pain and restoring independence."

- NZPA