Case study: Pre-operation therapies assessment clinic for children

A service for children about to have orthopaedic operations at Basildon University Hospital is helping to reassure them and their parents, and to reduce their length of stay.

The pre-op therapies assessment clinic was the idea of Elly Martin, Senior Paediatric Therapy Assistant, who noticed that children seen by therapists before their operations responded better to therapy afterwards, because the physiotherapists and occupational therapists were familiar to them.

Elly said, “I also thought we could get them back home quicker if we assessed and arranged what equipment they would need after their operation.

“We can also visit children at home to identify what non-weight bearing patients might need and get them practising moving round on crutches or a frame.”

The service has reduced length of stay for many patients because their discharge is not delayed by waits for essential equipment. Ordering equipment in advance is also making a financial saving for the trust.