Inpatient orthopaedic surgeries are to return to Newark Hospital next year
Five years after being discontinued, inpatient orthopaedic surgeries are to return to Newark Hospital.
Elective surgeries that require a stay in hospital — including hip and knee replacements — will be able to take place in Newark Hospital from spring next year.
It gives patients the option to have procedures closer to home.
Recruitment to hire more nursing staff, as well as training and development of current staff, has begun, and the Minster day ward will become a 24/7 ward.
Ant Rosevear, assistant chief operating officer for Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, said it was a very significant development for the hospital.
“We have listened to the public and built on what we do here at Newark, and we hope this shows how we are utilising Newark to provide these surgeries,” he said.
Richard Mitchell, the trust’s chief executive, said: “Following feedback from our community, we have continued to work with commissioners and GPs to further increase the range of services provided at Newark Hospital. We want to provide as many services as possible in Newark.
“We made a commitment earlier in this year to expand services, such as orthopaedic surgery, to ensure our patients receive the care they need in their local community.
“This is in line with our overall strategy and vision of healthier communities, outstanding care.”
Divisional general manager for surgery Steve Jenkins said: “By expanding the orthopaedic services at Newark it will mean that we will be better equipped going into future winters, with more surgery slots available for patients. The next stage of the project is to recruit the staff in order to mobilise the services.
“Recruitment is currently underway and we hope that this move will ensure that more services can be offered to patients in Newark, which will make things easier for them and their families, as they will not need to travel to other healthcare providers.”
There could potentially be the option to upgrade one of of the theatre surgeries to benefit from a Laminar Flow air system, which is useful for preventing bacteria from getting into open wounds.
Paul Baggaley, secretary of the Say Yes To Newark Hospital campaign group, welcomed the move.
He said: “This is fantastic news. It is what we have been waiting for and has been a long time coming.
“We have been campaigning for this since 2014 when we lost the service and it is good to know that it is coming back.
“It will be a great benefit for the town and for the trust, as it will no doubt attract patients from nearby to have their surgeries at Newark.”
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