Official opening of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals’ orthopaedic centre
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, the Lady Dannatt MBE, has officially opened a new orthopaedic centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals.
CEO Lesley Dwyer said: “This centre will build on the improvements we are already starting to see in our performance relating to our elective procedures including treating more than 78,000 patients in the last 12 months. This new centre will mean that we can reduce cancellations and continue elective work despite winter and external pressures.
“We really believe that this model works and already are planning on expansion plans through the development of NaNOC 2 to build a second unit, which will double our capacity and go a long way in helping us reduce our patient waiting lists.”
Lady Dannatt had a tour of the patient-centred unit, which includes a same-day admissions unit, treatment rooms, two laminar flow theatres, post anaesthetics care unit, a 21-bedded ward, called Ashill, physiotherapy rooms, a pharmacy and dispensing room for the embedded Pharmacy team.
Lady Dannatt also heard about the support from the community through the N&N Hospitals Charity, which gave £2m – its biggest single grant in its history – towards some of the most up-to-date equipment in the centre.
After unveiling a commemorative plaque, Lady Dannatt said: “It is my great honour and privilege to be here today to officially open the new orthopaedic centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. This remarkable facility represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality of care to our community.”
The team are currently running patient lists three days a week with the ambition of increasing to six days a week later in the year. Once it is running at full capacity, the team will carry out around
2,500 orthopaedic cases a year for patients who need ankle, foot, hip, knee or shoulder operations. To help with this work four new consultants – experts in hip, knee, shoulder and hand surgery, have been employed to bring the most innovative techniques to the team.
All staff are receiving training in the Trust’s Advanced Recovery Programme, which focuses on sending patients home as early and as safely as possible.
NNUH Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Jim Wimhurst said: “There have been some challenges along the way, but this is an amazing facility, which will serve our patients well in the years to come and with NaNOC 2 already being planned this will really help to ensure our patients are not waiting as long for their procedures.”
NNUH Chair Tom Spink said: “I am extremely pleased to see this unit up and running and to welcome Lady Dannatt to officially open it. This is a vital step in addressing our waiting lists.
“I know how hard every single person associated with this centre has worked to get it to this point. I would also like to thank N&N Hospitals Charity for their support. What has been created here is a wonderful environment for our patients and for the staff treating them. Watch this space to hear more about NaNOC2.”