A new Community Prehabilitation Service is supporting patients awaiting surgery, to take the steps needed to improve both their physical and mental health in preparation for their surgical procedure.
This recently launched service, delivered by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, helps to avoid preventable delays to accessing surgery by assessing patients and optimising their health and wellbeing prior to a pre-assessment appointment.
Patients are seen face-to-face for a one-off appointment in their own homes by Healthcare Assistants where they carry out a comprehensive assessment that includes blood pressure, height, weight, medical history and a lifestyle questionnaire.
Assessments are reviewed by the Clinical Team Lead and any underlying concerns, such as raised blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, asthma or COPD, are referred to the patient’s GP for review and treatment.
This means that patients can get any treatment needed and make lifestyle changes prior to their pre-assessment, avoiding any delay and prevention of surgery.
Alison Spearman, Community Pre-hab Team Lead, said:
“Undergoing surgery is physically and mentally demanding on patients, so it’s important that patients are optimised before they attend their pre-assessment appointments.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this service where we can see patients in the comfort of their own homes. We provide a physical assessment, alongside a health questionnaire, and can refer patients to their GP if there is anything concerning or outside normal parameters, such as high blood pressure.
Article continues below this advertisement “This helps to address anything early that may have previously delayed their surgery when identified at their pre-assessment appointment.”
Can you tell me if this is just for surgery at st Mary’s hospital?
I am sure there is a minority who this service would be beneficial. However I am sure if the trust has money to spend it should be used as a rehabilitation for patients who are taking up the beds in the hospital.
All very laudable, but, with the greatest of respect, and as already mentioned, this is basically for a minority of patients.
This is a classic example of why giving the NHS pots and pots of extra cash is not the answer to their problems. It will only be frittered away on niche and trendy projects. What is needed is a real root and branch, forensic examination of how funds are spent!