More than 500 days have passed since Bruce Erskine was referred for a consultation regarding hip replacement surgery, yet he has not had the opportunity to speak with a surgeon. Initially referred by his family physician in January 2025 with an estimated 18-month process timeline, Erskine, a resident of Halifax, has surpassed that period without a scheduled surgery date. Consequently, Erskine’s mobility and quality of life have significantly declined, impacting his ability to walk without assistance and partake in activities with his grandson.
A recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information in June revealed that wait times for hip and knee replacement surgeries in Nova Scotia were at their lowest levels ever recorded, ranking among the shortest in Canada last year. However, this report focused solely on the period between surgical consultation and the actual surgery date, neglecting the wait time from referral to consultation with a surgeon.
When considering both consultation and surgery wait times together, the total wait period for hip and knee replacements in Nova Scotia has increased compared to a decade ago. In 2015, the median wait time for a hip replacement was 265 days, which extended to 292 days in 2025.
Dr. Jhase Sniderman, an orthopedic surgeon at Dartmouth General Hospital, highlighted the adverse effects of prolonged consultation waits on patient pain and function. He emphasized that delayed consultations can lead to increased discomfort, reduced mobility, and negative impacts on overall health.
Cathy Lynn Howley, a director at the Nova Scotia Health perioperative care network, acknowledged the improvements in surgical wait times but emphasized the necessity to address lengthy consultation wait times. The aging and expanding population of Nova Scotia may have contributed to these extended waits, despite a surge in orthopedic surgeries performed last year.
Patients like Monika Lalonde, from Falmouth, N.S., have shared their frustrations with worsening pain and health deterioration while awaiting consultations for hip replacement. Lalonde, who has waited approximately 500 days for a consultation, expressed her challenges with declining mobility and increasing pain, impacting her daily activities and quality of life.
Nova Scotia’s efforts to streamline the booking process and establish orthopedic assessment clinics aim to alleviate the consultation backlog. However, Howley did not disclose specific plans to address these extended waits, stressing ongoing efforts within the health system.
Comparing consultation wait times between Nova Scotia and Ontario, Nova Scotia’s longer waits for both hip and knee replacements are evident. The province’s public reporting of estimated wait times sets it apart from other regions, shedding light on the challenges patients face in accessing timely consultations and surgeries.
In conclusion, while Nova Scotia has made progress in reducing surgical wait times, the focus now shifts to improving consultation wait times to enhance the overall patient experience and ensure timely access to essential healthcare services.
