A special hospital team is ensuring patients have the support they need both before and after surgery.
The specialist nurses in the homeward team support patients having a planned operation in the surgical hub at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
Before surgery the team hold weekly group education classes for patients, hold face-to-face clinic appointments and prescribe medications.
After surgery they then discharge patients from hospital, follow-up with patients after two weeks, hold face-to-face reviews after six to eight weeks, a five month telephone review and a one year review.
Leeann Thomson, joint replacement specialist nurse for the homeward team, said: “The team is here for patients both before and after surgery – to both prepare them for their operation but also make sure they are ready for when they go home after.
“As well as that we have a 24-hour helpline for any patient or family member who needs our support.
“We have found that support from the early stages has had a positive impact on the expectations patients may have and has meant they make a quicker recovery from surgery.”
Lindsey Wallace, care group director for collaborative care, said: “The homeward team is pivotal in the way the surgical hub has run in Hartlepool – without them we wouldn’t be able to provide the level of care we do to our patients.
“They are a key part in the success we have seen so far.”