The next step in Ontario’s plan to expand the number of private clinics offering publicly funded health care will roll out early next year, with four centres offering hip and knee replacements.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced Monday that Ontario is spending $125 million over two years to add up to 20,000 orthopedic surgeries.

Jones says the expansion should ensure that 90 per cent of patients get those procedures within clinically recommended timeframes, up from the current level of 80 per cent.