With a scheduled hip replacement booked in at a hospital 20 miles from home, David, 71, a retired Navy Officer from Derbyshire, began to consider how he might get to and from his surgery as his wife doesn’t drive. Fortunately for him, he’d opted to have his surgery with Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, which has launched a Patient Transport Service to take patients to and from their surgery.
The scheme, launched by Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough in conjunction with First4Care transport, is available to patients who live within 50 miles of the hospital who book hip and knee replacement surgery with its Wellsoon self-pay surgery service*. David, the first patient to use the service, says:
“I’m really active usually and love to walk. Six months ago I’d noticed that my hip was becoming increasingly painful on my walks and sitting down for five minutes for a break was no longer helping. As my hip got more painful and I couldn’t get about, I decided to contact my GP.
“After some X-rays it was very clear that my hip had deteriorated badly as the interpretation was passed to me in a tone of voice similar to the one you hear when you take your failing car to see a mechanic! I was quickly triaged and all set to have a hip replacement on the NHS with Practice Plus Group, Hospital Barlborough as it was felt they might have the shortest waiting list in the area. However, at my pre-op appointment, the consultant found that my blood pressure was too high and the operation was postponed until it had reduced to a safe level.
“I was delighted when I was told I could have my surgery within 4-6 weeks…The team were very helpful and even offered a complimentary transport service.”
David, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough hip replacement patient
“By the time my blood pressure was corrected, NHS waiting lists had increased. I was now facing a further four months minimum wait for a new hip. At this point I decided that I had already started down the journey with the Practice Plus Group team and was eager to get my hip replaced as soon as possible. I enquired about having my treatment privately with them using their Wellsoon service and booked an appointment.
“I was delighted when I was told I could have my surgery within 4-6 weeks, which was fantastic news as I was keen to get back out walking and enjoying my retirement again. The team were very helpful and even offered a complimentary patient transport service to the hospital and back – around 20 miles away – for my surgery. This was welcome news as I was beginning to worry about who might take me to and from the hospital as my wife does not drive.
“Their patient transport service is a great concept. There was no issue with arranging pick up times as the hospital liaise directly with the driver. I didn’t have to worry about when he would be available to take me home either and could stay in hospital as long as I needed to. It all worked perfectly. It was especially reassuring that the driver had a medical background so he could completely understand what I was going through. This made it so much better when I went home after the operation as he could advise me on a few tips to manoeuvre myself into the house and start the recovery process.
“I have been really happy with the team from Practice Plus Group, Hospital Barlborough. My operation went really well and my consultant Mr Springer was excellent. It’s been a bit of a shock getting about on crutches and I have some spectacular bruising, which is very common. I have been given an extensive programme of exercises to aid recovery and will have follow-up physio appointments at the hospital. I’m pleased that I could have the operation so quickly privately and not have to wait months to be able to enjoy my favourite walks again.”
Steve Booker, Hospital Director, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, says, “The last thing many patients want to face before an operation is worrying about transport logistics. Many of our patients live alone or no longer drive. We are always looking at ways to help support patients to make their journey back to wellness as smooth as possible. Having a patient transport service available for our self-pay hip and knee replacement patients is a big help.”
*This offer is available to Practice Plus Group’s self-pay patients via its Wellsoon service who book hip or knee replacement surgery only. Patients must state ‘transport offer’ when making a booking enquiry. This offer is only available to patients with addresses within 50 miles of Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough. Transport is provided by First4Care, a CQC regulated provider.
