Patients asked to share their views of major hip and knee surgery
Patients and public are being given their chance to share their views on hip and knee surgery in Shropshire to help the local NHS consider how to spend money more wisely for the future of health care services.
Shropshire’s rate of hip and knee surgery is higher than the national average, and is expected to grow because of the county’s ageing population, growing levels of obesity and advancements in clinical practice as well as increased patient expectations.
Now Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group is organising a number of events to discuss with patients how it is developing the care that’s offered to people with hip and knee conditions and how the ever increasing trend for surgery can be reversed.
Alongside this proactive approach to osteoarthritis, NHS Shropshire CCG is proposing altering the threshold for surgery, so that surgery in some cases will be delayed. As happens now all patients referred will be seen and offered support but fewer will have surgery.
Those attending the events will be able to give their views on the proposed changes. There will also be online and face to face surveys where people can share their views on the future.
Dr Julian Povey from Shropshire CCG, said:
“Whilst recognising that these changes will impact on the care of a number of people, we will balance this and safety check it with support through other services. Alongside this, we are increasing the resources put into preventing the complications of osteoarthritis.
“We would welcome the opportunity to explore these issues with Shropshire people, as we have done with the clinicians.”
The CCG is currently taking part in an evaluation of an enhanced programme of osteoarthritis care in the community. This includes work to help patients avoid the need for hip and knee surgery, such as better weight management, pain management and physiotherapy.
A targeted patient and public engagement exercise will now take. This will include six listening workshops and there will be online and face to face surveys.
The events will take place at:
Monday 17 August, Festival Centre, Market Drayton
Thursday 20 August, The Marches School, Oswestry
Monday 24 August, Ludlow Mascall Centre, Ludlow
Wednesday 26 August, Bridgnorth Community Hall, Bridgnorth
Tuesday 1 September, Shropshire Education and Conference Centre, Shrewsbury
Wednesday 2 September, Whitchurch Community Hospital, Whitchurch
Each event will take place from 6-8pm and will be able to accommodate around 40 people. Anyone interested in attending can book online by going to www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk
Further information
• The number of people aged over 65 years has increased by 25 per cent in the last 10 years
• Shropshire has a far higher than regional average number of hip and knee replacements – 21 per cent higher for hip replacements; 15 per cent higher for knee replacement
• The proposed increase in conservative management of hip and knee pain and increase in related surgical thresholds in Shropshire has already received backing from Shropshire Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee on Monday 27 July 2015
