Home / Health / N.B. Man Pays $30K for Hip Surgery, Faces Health System Barriers
N.B. Man Pays $30K for Hip Surgery, Faces Health System Barriers
23 Feb
Summary
- Man paid over $30,000 for private hip surgery in Montreal.
- He faced public healthcare system barriers upon returning to New Brunswick.
- New Brunswick has 18,000 people waiting for surgery.
Justin Dawe, experiencing severe hip pain, opted for private hip replacement surgery in Montreal for over $30,000 after facing a nine-month wait just for an initial surgeon appointment in New Brunswick. His surgery was successful, but he later developed a blood clot, a serious complication.
Returning to New Brunswick's public healthcare system for treatment of the blood clot proved challenging, as Dawe felt abandoned and unsupported by local medical professionals. He reported being told to refer back to his Montreal surgeon, leading him to feel penalized for seeking private care.
This situation arises while approximately 18,000 individuals are on surgical waitlists in New Brunswick. The province's Health Minister noted that 90% of hip surgeries are completed within 13 months, but this timeline begins only after an initial surgeon consultation.
Advocates and healthcare professionals suggest that while private clinics offer solutions, they can leave patients vulnerable for post-operative care if complications arise. The province's health minister stated that ideally, patients should be followed by the surgeon who performed the procedure, and continuity of care can be more difficult when surgeries occur out-of-province.
Dr. Pascal-André Vendittoli, an orthopedic surgeon in Montreal, stated that most provinces facilitate continuity of care for patients who receive private surgery elsewhere, but New Brunswick is noted as being hesitant. He believes private and public systems should collaborate, prioritizing the patient's needs.
