The Arthroplasty team which deals with patients having joint replacement surgery such as a new hip or knee is the first of its kind to be established in the North West Wales NHS Trust.

The main aims of the team are to improve the service offered to this group of patients and to reduce waiting list times. Through their intervention they aim to make the patient’s ‘journey’ from first being placed on the waiting list to surgery and follow up after discharge more streamlined and focused on their needs.

The team, which is based at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, includes an Occupational Therapist,  Physiotherapist, and the Arthroplasty Sister.

Recently they started a weekly ‘Joint Replacement Education and Assessment’  clinic at Ysbyty Gwynedd for those patients on the waiting list. During the clinic the patients are seen individually by all three members of the team to assess, advise and educate in the following areas:

• General health
• Importance of exercise and maintaining mobility
• Maintaining independence
• Preparation of home environment
• Work and leisure activities

Colleagues may visit some patients at home if problems are identified during the clinic to give further support, advice and to provide equipment if required. This aims to help patients keep as active and independent as possible before and after their operation. Staff will also work with patients while they are in hospital for their operation and follow them up once back at home if necessary.

The physiotherapist will assess the patient’s mobility and supply walking aids if required. 

Patients are given their own exercise programme and encouraged to do this regularly at home. This is important to help them keep as fit as possible before their operation and will also help in their recovery.

Staff will also monitor the progress of patients following the operation and offer support on discharge from physiotherapists in the community.

The health assessment carried out at this clinic involves having some blood tests and an ECG. Staff will also be looking out for blood pressure problems and any decaying teeth.

A decaying tooth could pose an infection risk and this could lead to the operation being delayed if not sorted out in time, so regular dental checks are advised.

As part of the service a bilingual helpline has been established, this provides general advice for those patients awaiting a hip or knee replacement.