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digestissue
a high standard. Members of the
public can visit the NHS Choice
network and view entries that
past patients have posted.”
Located in the South-East, a
high percentage of the Horder
Centre’s NHS patients come from
Sussex, Kent and Surrey but
because it is recognised as being
amongst the best providers for
hip and knee replacements, an
increasing number of people from
across the UK are opting to have
procedures carried out there.
“The Horder Centre is a
specialist orthopaedic centre so
can offer an outstanding level of
patient care and services that
many general hospitals are unable
to provide,” Jane says. “We have
specifically tailored all aspects of
the patient pathway to enable the
best possible recovery for our
patients and as a result consistently
score higher than national average
for PROMS.”
But safety is paramount and
hospitals will turn people away
when appropriate.
“Some hospitals may not have
the infrastructure to deal with
complex joint replacements or
complicated medical problems
and in these cases will refer
potential patients elsewhere,”
Mr Kavarthapu says.
Cost
If your GP decides
that you have a
medical need for
transport to the hospital
you have chosen to attend for your
procedure, patient transport
services should be provided.
You may be entitled to help with
your travel costs through the
Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme if
you’re under the care of a
consultant and receive either
Income Support, income-based
Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension
Credit Guarantee Credit, or if
you’re named on an NHS tax
exemption certificate or qualify
under the NHS low-income
scheme.
“Consider too the need to
make your house safe after the
procedure,” says Mr Kavarthapu.
“Occupational therapy related
items are covered by the NHS if
needed, such as raised toilet seats,
ramps in entranceways and other
relevant modifications to the
house. Before surgery, the hospital
team should assess the situation
and contact community services
if this is thought to be necessary.
“This is particularly important
as most patients rehabilitate
quickly following a knee or hip
replacement procedure using the
ARTHRITIS
Autumn 2013
Next steps
NHS Choices has had a positive impact on the
medical care of the public. By creating internal
competition between secondary care providers it has
encouraged improved outcomes and increased quality of
patient care. But it means that it’s up to you where you have your
procedure so do your homework properly. Start by asking your GP’s
opinion and then access and assess further information from
reliable sources. Here are some starting points:
G NHS Choices has a useful search tool where you can compare
hospitals for various procedures: www.nhs.uk
The National Joint Registry Surgeon and Hospital Profile
allows you to find out about particular surgeons and
hospitals where knee and hip replacements are carried out:
www.njrsurgeonhospitalprofile.org.uk
G
G
The National Joint Registry of England, Wales and
Northern Ireland holds statistics on hospitals and
you can request information from them:
www.njrcentre.org.uk, tel 0845 345 9991
modern treatment approaches
that we have; the expected length
of stay is usually less than three
days in our unit.”
Don’t get distracted
“The main point to consider is
the hospital as a whole, as this has
the most influence on outcome,”
recommends Mr Kavarthapu.
“Surgeons are one part of the
entirety so don’t worry as much
about their individual profiles.
“Some people are keen to
consider newer unproven
techniques and/or implants over
well-established methods but do
beware of being a guinea pig,” he
warns. “Make sure the procedure
you’re having is tried, tested and
clinically proven.” AD
Jane Vince is the centre operations
manager at The Horder Centre in
East Sussex
www.arthritisdigest.co.uk
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