ELECTIVE orthopaedic surgery has begun again this week under an arrangement between University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) and the Nuffield Hospital.
The Nuffield team has been ’positive and proactive’ in backing up the NHS, said Natasha Stokes who is Trauma, Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Service Line Cluster Manager for UHP.
At the start of the pandemic, it was agreed that Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital (NHPH) would support UHP by locating the Trust’s Oncology Unit and Minor Injuries Unit at their hospital. Like all other independent healthcare providers in the UK, their private healthcare activity ceased. In an unprecedented move, the private hospital along with all their staff became part of the NHS in a successful collaboration.
Now, in an arrangement that is likely to last for several months, orthopaedic surgery will be carried out for the NHS at Nuffield for many patients. But those with more complex clinical needs will still need to receive their operation at Derriford, because the operating team may need access to other resources, such as enhanced recovery, which are not available at the Nuffield.