Mega Clinic Advances 60 Orthopaedic Patients for Further Care in One Day

Whakatane Hospital's orthopaedic care department has cleared a large backlog of patients who have been waiting the longest for care

60 patients with hip and knee conditions were assessed and moved on to the next step in their care at a special orthopaedic clinic held in Whakatāne.

Every patient was given a clear next step, whether that was referral for surgery, further investigations, or follow-up treatment.

The initiative was led by orthopaedic surgeons Georgina Chan and Mark Stringer, supported by registrars and physiotherapists.

Unlike a traditional outpatient clinic, which relies on smaller teams, the mega clinic brought together a larger multidisciplinary workforce to assess more patients in a single day.

This approach sped up access to specialist assessment and treatment planning. All patients were assessed using the same clinical processes and specialist oversight as routine orthopaedic services.

Health New Zealand National Consultant Practitioner and Clinical Lead Advanced Practitioner, Catherine Willis, said the clinic demonstrated what could be achieved when different disciplines worked together towards a shared goal.

“The mega clinic assessed a much larger number of people in a single day than a typical outpatient orthopaedic clinic, with around 44 additional patients seen," she said.

“It also demonstrated the effectiveness of Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapists working alongside orthopaedic surgeons, with high levels of agreement on the most appropriate treatment pathway for patients.”

Of the 60 patients seen, 39 progressed to the surgical waitlist, ten received a plan for further investigations or treatments and 11 were assessed and given a clear plan to manage their condition, with no further specialist appointments required.

The clinic also provided valuable insights into clinic design, patient flow and staffing models, while identifying opportunities to improve booking processes, referral pathways, patient records, and IT systems.

Lessons from the clinic will help inform future service planning and identify further opportunities to improve access to orthopaedic care for patients across the region.