The orthopaedic team at Forth Valley Royal Hospital has recorded a spectacular success in carrying out hip and knee operations during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Figures show this service has achieved more than 80% of normal activity for elective surgery during the pandemic, making the unit the most productive in Scotland when measured against standard activity. As a result, waiting lists have reduced significantly.
NHS Forth Valley, which has achieved 83.9% of standard pre-pandemic activity, is one of only three units in Scotland to have completed more than half of their usual hip and knee replacement workload between March 2020 and March 2021.
NHS Forth Valley Consultant Anaesthetist Ewan Jack, Clinical Lead Theatres, said: “It is clear that NHS Forth Valley has performed supremely well in providing orthopaedic care to patients. The number of patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation has dropped by almost a third. At the same time, the number of patients waiting for an orthopaedic outpatient appointment has reduced by nearly a half from the pandemic peak. All those involved should be congratulated on facilitating such quality care in challenging circumstances.”
