The CEO of the Southwest Local Health Integrated Network has responded to complaints from some surgeons in London that a lack of money is creating longer wait times for hip and knee replacement surgery.
Michael Barrett explains the LHIN provides funding specifically designated for hip and knee replacement to all of the hospitals at the beginning of each fiscal year, with the expectation that the hospitals will schedule those surgeries within that budget.
Some hospitals exceeded that schedule and have run out of money.
Barrett says in that case, hospitals have the option of finding money in their global budget and using that for more hip and knee replacement procedures.
The LHIN also tracks wait times and those are available on the network's web site.
