Surgeons and theatre staff at St Cross have taken delivery of specialist patient supports for use in hip operations.
Senior Operating Department Practitioners Danielle Loydall and Derrick Hammond demonstrated the equipment under the watchful eyes of Clinical Engineer Alan Williams.
They explained that these supports are attached to either side of the operating table and are used to hold patients securely on their side in order to minimise any risk of movement during an operation. The supports were manufactured to meet designs and specifications set by the team at St Cross. Derrick said “this is the sort of equipment that surgeons would like to have but cannot normally afford and having these supports available at St Cross will help attract top surgeons to the hospital.”
Alan added “previously the supports which we used had little or no adjustment so the new kit will suit a wider range of patients.” Danielle said “we are so grateful for all the support that the hospital receives from the Friends of St Cross that I hope to pull together a team to run in the Wolf Run in the summer to show our appreciation and raise some money for the Friends Diamond Jubilee Appeal.”
Mark Kemp, Deputy Operations Director for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, said “the Trust is committed to expanding services at the Hospital of St Cross which is a growing centre for elective surgery for the Trust with approximately 70% of all elective hip and knee replacements being carried out in Rugby. We have plans to expand other services we offer at St Cross including an increase in the number of cataract operations. The many donations of equipment and voluntary services, such as Helping Hands in theatres, which the Friends of St Cross provide are some of the key enablers for this expansion and we are most grateful for all the support that the Charity provides.”