An NHS Trust has celebrated a double first after two patients underwent knee surgery and were discharged on the same day. 

Patients Chris Blackshaw and Karen Chapman were both back home within 12 hours of their procedures at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and the Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre. 

The same-day treatment marks the first time the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has provided total joint replacements as day case procedures. 

The treatment signals a new way of providing joint replacements at the Trust for patients who are fit and well enough, providing them with enhanced support for their recovery including post-operative physiotherapy almost immediately after they come out of the operating theatre.

This means that within four hours of having their surgery, they are able to walk on crutches and can be safely discharged to continue their recovery in the comfort of their own homes with ongoing support and advice available if they need it.

Dr Jo Marriott, the Trust’s Divisional Director of Specialised Clinical Services, said: "To see so much hard work and planning by our teams pay off, and to see our first patients benefit from same-day surgery at two of our hospitals on the same day has been fantastic.

"It means much less disruption for them, and it will make a really important contribution to our efforts to bring waiting times down for patients from across the county."

Chris Blackshaw from Redditch was the first patient to undergo a partial knee replacement as a day case procedure at the Alexandra Hospital. 

He said: "As soon as I had come round and was feeling ok from the general anaesthetic, the physiotherapist was with me getting me to do basic exercises and checking I could support my weight and get about on crutches. 

"While I was a bit sore, I felt absolutely fine and I was delighted to be told I could go home in the evening, which is what I was hoping for.

"The whole procedure was very well organised, and I was sent home with medication and advice on who to contact should I need any support. The whole team involved were wonderful and I can't sing their praises highly enough."

The improved service has been developed and delivered by colleagues from a number of teams across the Trust including operating theatre staff, surgeons, ward nursing teams and physiotherapists.

It is also hoped that the day-case surgery will help reduce waiting times and free up bed space on surgical wards for Worcestershire residents. 

Steve Goodyear, Divisional Director for Surgery, added: "Day case surgery offers considerable health benefits for all patients who can be safely treated in that way, but it also helps the Trust to free up beds on our surgical wards for those who require a longer stay in hospital, and provide a variety of procedures, more quickly, cutting waiting times and lists for Worcestershire residents."