Kentish Express Ashford & District
Mum first in surgery centre
A mother and grandmother has become the first patient to go under the knife at a new centre for planned orthopaedic surgery.
Four new operating theatres have opened at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, taking pressure off theatres for trauma and cancer surgery elsewhere in east Kent – including Ashford’s William Harvey.
The Elective Orthopaedic Centre, which will treat about 3,500 people a year, is part of a national NHS pilot to demonstrate that separating planned orthopaedic and emergency operations benefits all patients.
Those who have operations in the new centre are cared for on two newly-renovated wards, Invicta and St Lawrence, freeing up theatres and beds at the
Harvey and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.
The first patient to undergo a procedure at one of the new theatres was mum and grandmother Maureen Andrews, 69, who had surgery to relieve pressure on nerves in her spine.
“I felt really honoured to be the first ever patient in the new centre,” Mrs Andrews said.
“I felt a bit like royalty; everyone was so lovely and welcoming and it was very safe and clean. I was a bit nervous but I really wanted to get it done.”
She had been suffering from pain and numbness in her legs and feet that left her relying on painkillers and unable to go out for more than half an hour at a time.
The procedure last month took several hours but Mrs Andrews, from Folkestone, was able to go home the following day.
The centre was opened by trust chief executive Susan Acott at a ceremony attended by staff and Professor Tim Briggs CBE, national director of clinical improvement for the NHS.
Julia Blackwood, general manager for trauma and orthopaedics, says the team is looking forward to helping more patients. Everyone on the team is extremely excited that the centre is now open as they can all see the real benefits that it will bring,” she added.