Orthopaedic waiting list rises by 10% since opening of new unit

The nine-bed De Havilland unit at the PEH was opened last October to cope with the backlog of patients awaiting orthopaedic surgery and reduce postponements.

Since then there have been 463 procedures, including hip, knee, and shoulder replacements, carried out on the unit.

Some of these would have been cancelled if not for the dedicated beds on the ward.

A further 144 operations, mainly emergencies, were also carried out from de Sausmarez ward over the last year.

In September 2022, the waiting list for orthopaedic procedures, including private patients, was 805. Despite the new unit, the waiting list has now grown to 885 patients.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon George Cooper said the unit had provided much-needed, ring-fenced beds.

‘The Medical Specialist Group is really pleased with the numbers we have been able to see go through the unit in the last 12 months,’ he said.

‘While the waiting list remains a huge challenge, this demonstrates a significant step to address the increasing demand until more theatre capacity is achieved, and I would like to thank all staff involved for their hard work and care.’

Medical director Dr Peter Rabey said the dedicated unit had allowed a large number of patients to be treated.

‘The multi-disciplinary team approach from pre-assessment to discharge has improved patient experience, reduced the average length of stay for joint surgery and has removed 463 patients off the orthopaedic waiting list,’ he said.

The average length of stay on de Havilland unit is two days. Pre-assessment clinics with patients means that staff can explain what their procedure will entail, what to expect when on the unit, and how patients are enabled to get home as quickly and safely as possible.