Important news for people going into hospital for joint replacements in Hartlepool

But they are all there to help provide the safest and highest quality of care, bosses have stated.

A number of improvements have been made for patients coming in for surgery at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. The main one involves the moving of the elective care unit into a previously empty space on the other side of the hospital’s main block.

And that means patients having surgery can be taken via a lift directly from the operating theatre to the unit. There will also be a new route through the hospital for patients visiting for surgery.

Carol Bowler, senior clinical practitioner at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Over the last few weeks we have been reassuring patients that it is very safe to come into hospital for your appointment or your operation.

“A number of measures have been taken at Hartlepool including suspending visitors, creating a one-way system and providing different entrances for patients depending where they have their appointment.

“Any patient coming for surgery is asked to self-isolate for three days before.

“When they visit they are asked to use the main entrance where there is a one-way system.

“They are then welcomed to the hospital’s access lounge/day case unit entrance where the team have a checklist of questions.”

Gillian Brown, staff nurse in the day-case unit, said: “We meet the patient at the entrance and ask them a series of questions as well as take their temperature.

“This is all around ensuring patients are safe to come in for surgery. Patients are then allocated a room and from there they go for their operation.

“A hospital domestic is in the unit at all times to make sure it is professionally cleaned regularly.”

After surgery, patients are taken directly to the joint replacement unit where new ward matron Dannii Appleby and new nursing sister Alexandra Higgins and the team welcome them.

Dannii said: “It’s fantastic to have joined such a committed and dedicated team who go above and beyond for their patients.

“The team have embraced the new move and know it’s only for the benefit of our patients.

“The new layout means that any patient being transported to the ward after surgery does not come into contact with any other area of the hospital.

“No visiting is allowed in the unit, except under special circumstances.”

There are changes for the staff as well.

Dannii added: “Staff in the unit wear the necessary personal protective equipment and do not mix with other clinical teams in ‘red’ areas where patients with suspected cases of COVID-19 are. Hand hygiene and social distancing is also being carried out.

“Follow up appointments are being held virtually over the phone or video – though physiotherapy face to face clinics will be held over the coming weeks where appropriate.

“The Homeward team will also be restarting their fantastic education classes very soon. These are held before patients have surgery and are vital to help them have the most successful recovery.

“All of these developments are helping improve the way we do things and the care we provide to our patients in these challenging times.”

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.