Staff and patients at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) marked a milestone birthday of the Elective Orthopaedic Unit at Furness General Hospital (FGH) last month.The unit was opened on 16 March 2008 to introduce the Enhanced Recovery Programme dedicated to providing a high quality experience for patients – requiring elective hip or knee joint replacement.
In 2016/17 alone, the unit at FGH cared for 370 patients. Knee and hip replacement surgery is a routine operation that involves replacing a damaged, worn or diseased knee with an artificial joint. Adults of any age can be considered for a knee replacement, although most are carried out on people between the ages of 60 and 80. More people are now receiving this operation at a younger age.
Lynne Dack, Matron for Surgery and Critical Care, UHMBT, said: “Opening and securing a ten bedded area to implement this pathway for our patients provided the perfect opportunity for us, and with much work and dedication from many, we were able to start the Enhance Recovery Pathway. “The benefits of this pathway include allowing us to be clear with patients so they know what to expect; a reduced risk of infection; patients no longer needing to starve themselves for 12 hours prior to surgery, thanks to the use of nutrition drinks; and a significant reduction in the length of stay. “I have fond memories of the success and excitement in securing the unit to allow us to start the enhanced recovery programme for this patient group. However, it is the constantly high standards achieved the dedication of the whole multi- disciplinary team, and the consistently excellent feedback from our patients which makes me extremely proud. I have very fond memories of the patients we have cared for on the unit and look forward to what we achieve in the next ten years.”
Sue Smith, Executive Chief Nurse, UHMBT, said: “A big well done and happy birthday to our dedicated staff at the unit who go above and beyond for our patients.”