A centralized system to improve access to hip and knee surgery

Monday, January 12, 2026 – Vitalité Health Network is establishing a centralized orthopedic referral management system for patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

This system is designed to streamline the pathway for patients who may need orthopedic surgery.

Instead of waiting for an appointment with a surgeon, patients will first be assessed by a physiotherapist. In collaboration with an orthopedic surgeon and a coordinator, the physiotherapist will determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

As part of this pathway, patients will be able to benefit from the GLA:D program, an internationally recognized education and rehabilitation initiative. This program combines information on osteoarthritis with a supervised exercise program. Program participants learn to better manage their condition, reduce pain and improve mobility, which can slow the progression of osteoarthritis, and reduce the need for total joint replacements and opioid use.

At the end of the GLA:D program, patients will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon as needed.
"This approach promotes faster recovery after surgery, which will help reduce hospital stays and improve overall patient outcomes," says Dr. Natalie Banville, Vice-President of Medical Affairs.
"With this centralized system, patient preferences will be respected and we will be able to reduce wait times."

The initiative will initially be implemented in the Beauséjour and Acadie-Bathurst zones, before being rolled out across the entire Network.