Celebrating 400th day-case joint replacement | Latest news

The new short stay pathway for hip and knee replacements at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) was introduced 18 months ago and has just treated the 400th patient. 

Patients can have a knee or hip replacement at City Hospital and be discharged on the same day. This day-case procedure lowers the risk of infection and blood clots and gives patients quicker return to normal activities and a more comfortable recovery at home. 

This pathway has reduced the average stay by 2.5 days, freeing up much-needed beds and reducing waiting lists. 
The 400th patient, who had a knee replacement, said: “I can’t fault the NHS, all the staff were just amazing. 

“The fact that you are discharged 6-8 hours after an operation is amazing, as we know it is best to recover at home.” 

Mr Benjamin Bloch, Orthopaedic Consultant, said: “The benefits of the short stay pathway for patients are quicker mobilisation and being out of hospital, which aids their recovery and is safer for them. 

“It also allows more patients to be treated which means that we have not had to cancel any procedures due to winter pressures for two years in a row, meaning hundreds more patients have been treated which all helps to reduce waiting lists.” 

The development of the pathway was a multidisciplinary process and included surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and management personnel. 

Other initiatives introduced at NUH to maximise theatre capacity include HIT lists and dual operating techniques.