The province’s travelling orthopedic team has completed its first joint replacement surgery at the hospital in St. Anthony.

The travelling team was one of two initiatives announced back in the fall to help cut back on wait times for hip, knee, and joint replacements. The other initiative involves increased operating capacity at Carbonear General Hospital.

Dr. William Moores, Divisional Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Eastern Health, says the first there arthroplasty cases were completed by the team on Monday.

He notes that current wait times for that particular procedure are at “unprecedented levels” and says that it is vital to use all resources to address the issues.

Moores calls the first day of surgeries a “great success” and says they are looking forward to three more days of procedures in the area.

It’s anticipated that the team will be able to complete about 140 procedures annually.