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Budget 2004 delivers for central Auckland people suffering from problem hips and knees.

The government expects to see a 229% per cent increase in hip and knee operations over the next four years through Auckland District Health Board.

Budget 2004 injects an extra $3.77 million in 2004/05 for extra hip and knee operations into the Auckland DHB's coffers, expected to rise to $6.70 million by 2008/09.

Maungakiekie MP Mark Gosche says today's announcement means the number of hip and knee operations in central Auckland in 2004/05 will increase by around 250 to 449 from the current estimated 199.

"By 2008/09, the government intends, as part of its commitment to strong public services, to fund Auckland DHB for 655 hip and knee operations; that's more than three times the current level.

"These people will have a dramatic improvement in their quality of life through relieved pain, regained mobility and personal independence.

The funding includes provision to establish new nursing scholarships allowing orthopaedic nurses to expand their expertise; central Auckland will get four of these scholarships in the next financial year.

Mr Gosche adds that there is a process already in place for DHBs to get capital funding for facilities and equipment to ensure the operations can occur.

"I've been assured by Health Minister Annette King that this will be treated as a priority," says Mark Gosche.

"Over the longer term, other preventative measures encouraged by the government's Primary Health Care Strategy – like people eating better and exercising more – will start helping to reduce the impact of major joint disease.

"But clearly, there are people suffering acute pain and stress right now who need operations to get them moving again,” says Mark Gosche.

The increase in funding in central Auckland is part of the government’s plan to double the national number of major joint replacements nationally over the next four years to more than 9,300 operations in 2008/09.

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