Our Services A - Z - Orthopaedics
About the service
We provide orthopaedic services across a range of specialities delivered in modern wards, clinics and theatre facilities. We are committed to ensuring that patients see the same team members throughout their journey with us.
Our award-winning team has a high level of expertise across a range of specialities and via the Trust wider services, are able to provide as required, up to critical care, whilst still providing individualised and personalised support from the team.
Our Enhanced Recovery programme for hip and knee replacements was originally devised in 2012 using the most up to date research and best practice.
It follows current international research and improved anaesthetics to reduce pain, bleeding and swelling which means most of our patients can commence physiotherapy and mobilise a few hours after they return from theatre. As our patients have less pain, they progress quicker and can get home sooner so they can return to normal living.
- Accelerated rehabilitation
This is our enhanced recovery programme for hip and knee replacements which we devised using the most up to date research and best practice, in 2012.
It follows current International research and improved anaesthetics to reduce pain, bleeding and swelling which means most of our patients can commence physiotherapy and mobilise a few hours after they return from theatre. As our patients have less pain, they progress quicker and can get home sooner so they can return to normal living.
- Orthopaedic therapy discharge scheme
On discharge the scheme enables ongoing coordinated care in the home environment as required. Patients have access to the therapy team for 6 weeks post-surgery with follow up phone calls or visits and attendance at out–patient physiotherapy groups (if needed).
This is a service we are very proud of and we are the only hospital among our neighbouring orthopaedic providers in the North West offering such ongoing support on discharge.
- Service Leads
Mr David Selvan Consultant
- Contacts
Ormskirk 01695 65 6686
Southport 01704 704925 - Consultants
Trauma orthopaedic therapy
The Trauma Orthopaedic Therapy Team based on Ward 14A cares for patients who unexpectedly find themselves in hospital after sustaining a serious injury – for example, after a fall.
The team of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants operates seven-days-a-week with a lighter service at the weekend to cover all high priority patients, including patients who are medically optimised and awaiting discharge, and those who are first day post-surgery.
The occupational therapists (OTs) assess patients’ mobility and ability to transfer as well as carrying out functional tasks e.g. washing and dressing practice to ensure their discharge can be as seamless as possible.
OTs can recommend and provide equipment and advice on techniques to manage on discharge to enable a patient to obtain their best potential.
The physiotherapists use a wide range of treatment techniques and approaches to assist patients with their recovery. They use therapeutic exercises designed to improve mobility and strengthen the affected area of the body. Patients ability to transfer (e.g. from bed to chair) and walk will be assessed and practiced, and aids may be provided to assist them to do this as safely as possible.
OTs and physiotherapists may provide braces and splints to patients, depending on advice from the patient’s consultant.
The therapy team carries out group activities with patients that may be identified as having additional needs, or show an interest in taking part in the group. Activities include: exercises; games such as dominoes; reminiscence groups, etc. These are a good time for patients to socialise while in hospital as well as therapists to continue further assessments.
- Beyond hospital
Following from the assessments the therapy team provides, a home visit may be needed and any potential need for equipment assessed.
This may be highlighted if it is felt that the homes needs altering after a hospital stay, e.g. if a patient needs to be downstairs living on discharge.
A home visit may be carried out, where a patient is taken home with a therapist for an assessment period, prior to coming back to hospital. This is used to ensure that a patient can manage functionally at home and for any concerns to be addressed prior to a patient’s discharge.
Within Orthopaedics, the therapists run discharge scheme where we aim to assess the patient in their own environment and leave them at home if it is assessed that they are safe.
The therapy team can organise follow out visits for patients discharged home and who need ongoing therapy that may only need one or two visits e.g. stair assessment following downstairs living. If a patient has ongoing therapy and needs more support, a referral on to a community team will be made.
The therapy team will also follow out patients who are from residential and nursing homes.
Often a hospital can be disorientating for these patients and once they are medically fit it would be in their best interests for them to return to their home environment, but with therapy support to optimise their level of need and independence.
The therapy staff, who are aware of the patients’ needs from rapport built in hospital, work with the staff in the patients’ home to give education on the patients’ level of mobility and the safest ways to transfer.
Once a patient no longer needs to be in hospital but assessed as not safe to return home and further therapy needed, the therapy team will discuss with the patient the best discharge option for them.
This may include ongoing rehabilitation in another facility. If a patient is not at a level that they will manage at home, and there are no ongoing therapy needs, they may also be referred on to social services for advice on a placement. However, this will all be discussed with the patient, and family when highlighted, and agreed upon.
Plaster room
The Plaster Room team provides a wide range of services from casting and splinting orthopaedic injuries or conditions, to advanced casting for patients with diabetic related issues and vascular problems.
The service operates from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, please seek further assistance from the Accident and Emergency team.
- Service Leads
Matt Parry Casting services manager
- Contacts
01704 704571
Planned orthopaedic therapy
Patients having planned orthopaedic surgery will be supported in their recovery by the Elective Orthopaedic Therapy Team.
The multidisciplinary therapy team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants, based at Ormskirk hospital, provide a seven-day service to patients undergoing a range of surgeries including upper and lower limb joint replacements, arthroscopies, shoulder, knee, hand, foot and ankle surgery.
They work closely with the orthopaedic consultants and nursing team providing therapy intervention on H Ward (the elective orthopaedic ward) and F ward (the day case unit).
Treatment for patients due to undergo total hip and knee replacements starts ahead of the operation. These patients attend a therapy pre- op education session at Ormskirk Hospital. The aim of these sessions is to ensure the patient is fully informed, has realistic expectations and has time to prepare. It also gives the therapy team time to order and get any equipment that will be essential for safe discharge in place prior to discharge. Pre -op education is key to achieving a good outcome following your hip or knee replacement surgery.
If issues of concern are highlighted in this assessment a pre-operative home visit can be carried out.
For all patients, we assess and agree a treatment plan that aims to provide functional goal led intervention, enabling independent mobility, self-care activities and ensuring a timely patient-centred discharge from the ward.
The length of stay following a hip or knee replacement is one to three days.
- Beyond hospital
The Therapy Discharge Scheme ensures the therapy team provide the best support to a patient being discharged.
Patients can contact the team for up to 6 weeks, they will receive a follow up telephone call after discharge, and the team can arrange further visits at home if necessary or out-patient physiotherapy.
Out-patient physiotherapy appointments are arranged for patients at Ormskirk hospital (as required).
- Service Leads
Joanne Kenyon Orthopaedic Therapy Team
- Contacts
01695 656861
G Ward Therapy
The post operative care ward is based at Ormskirk hospital (G ward), it is available for patients who are medically well enough for transfer to Ormskirk but who require further rehabilitation.
The ward cares for patients who require further interventions following fractures such as a fracture neck of femur, lower or upper limb fractures, general surgery, limb amputations, or for patients who have been on intensive care.
It is a multi-disciplinary approach involving nurses, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Pharmacists. There is also involvement from the discharge facilitators and social workers.
Patients are assessed by the therapy team and a treatment plan is put in place which will facilitate a safe and timely discharge. The nursing and therapy team aim to involve both the patient and their family in all decisions regarding their treatment and plans for discharge.
Patients requiring a longer period of rehabilitation can be referred to an intermediate care facility in their own locality. The discharge team / social workers can access D2A beds or provide short term placements for appropriate patients.
Some patients can be discharged home with the support of a social services package of care and some patients can be discharged home with a referral to an outpatient or community therapy team to support their continued rehabilitation.
Page last updated on 13th March 2023