Martin Ford, 70, had a right shoulder replacement on 10 April 2024 in a pilot which is being trialled for day surgery joint replacements meaning patients can go home the same day rather than needing to stay in hospital.
Mahendar Bhat, Consultant Shoulder and Upper Limb surgeon at The QEH, said: “We are very pleased to be piloting this trial at The QEH. We know that patients recover faster at home and that being in their own comfortable surroundings with their loved ones is the best place for them to be.
“I am very proud to have been the first surgeon to carry out this joint replacement operation as a day case and can clearly see the benefit that this has had for Mr Ford. We hope that the pilot continues to be a success and we can offer more day surgery procedures for those patients that meet the criteria.”
In 2023 QEH carried out 443 joint replacements including hip, knee and shoulder replacements.
Mr Ford, from Newton-in-the-Isle near Wisbech, said: “I haven’t been able to have full use of my arm and shoulder for a year which is why I needed the surgery.
“The team that looked after me were absolutely brilliant. I was a bit daunted by the idea of having a general anaesthetic so when I was told I could have this as day surgery and have a block I was very pleased
“I was really happy to go home the same day and have been recovering really well.
Rebecca Martin, Medical Director at The QEH, said: “Being able to go home the same day greatly benefits patients. A huge well done to our expert team of surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists, healthcare assistants and administrative staff that worked seamlessly together to make this happen.”
Ends.
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