The Joint Assessment Centre in North Bay can now focus on spinal issues in addition to the work it already does for patients’ knees, hips and shoulders. The additional assessment is thanks to provincial government funding. The province is increasing funding to all of its assessment centres including those in Sudbury, Timmins, Parry Sound and Sault Ste. Marie. The goal is to shorten a patient’s wait time to see a specialist and to get that speciality care closer to home.