Total Hip Replacement

Total Hip Replacement

Introduction
It has been recommended by your consultant team that you have a Total Hip Replacement (THR). This leaflet will explain what this means for you and will answer most of the questions you may have regarding your surgery and what will happen.

Please read the information carefully and bring it with you to all of your appointments and on admission to hospital for your hip replacement. If there is anything you are still unsure about, please ask your consultant or one of the team. You should feel like you have all the information you need.

We aim to get you home as soon as possible after your operation and for some people this could be on the same day as your surgery. During this time, you will encounter a lot of different professionals that make up the team. We all work together to make your experience as pleasant as possible and to maintain high standards of care.

The Hip Joint
The hip joint is a ball and socket joint made up of the ball (femoral head), which sits at the top of the thigh bone (femur) and the socket (acetabulum), which is part of your pelvis. Each of these bones is lined by a smooth cartilage to allow the surfaces glide and move as the ball moves in the socket.

Picture: Front view of normal right hip joint.

When you have osteoarthritis, the smooth cartilage lining of the joints becomes worn away and rough and the space in your joint reduces. There are other forms of arthritis and disease that can also affect this cartilage lining such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis.

When this happens, the hip can become painful and stiff, you may have a difference in your leg lengths and walking can become difficult.

Picture: Front view of arthritic right hip joint.

What is a Total Hip Replacement?
A total hip replacement (THR) is when the head of the femur is removed and replaced by an artificial component. The acetabulum is also lined artificially. There are many different types of implant. Your consultant will be able to make decisions about the best type of implant for you before your surgery and discuss this with you.

Picture: Front view of a total hip replacement in situ.

Alternative Treatments
A hip replacement is the best option for you due to the severity of your arthritis. This option will only be offered to you after other options have been tried and have not relieved your symptoms. This would include medication to relieve the pain, weight loss if necessary, physiotherapy and exercise to reduce stiffness and improve muscle strength and the use of walking aids.

Benefits of a THR
The aim of the surgery is to reduce the pain and stiffness in your hip. As a result of this you will be able to increase your mobility and return to a more active lifestyle. Immediately after your surgery it is normal to have some pain and stiffness related to the operation, but this should settle with your exercises and rehabilitation. You will be given painkillers to help control the pain, it is important to ask if you feel they are not providing enough relief.

Risks of Surgery
Hip replacement surgery is usually very successful with most people being very happy with the outcome of their surgery. As with all surgeries, there are some risks associated with the procedure. These risks are different for each individual and will be explained to you by your surgical team, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to discuss any concerns you may have.

You and your doctor or other healthcare professional in the team will need to record that you agree to have the procedure by signing a consent form.

Some of the risks are listed below:

• Blood clots – Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT, blood clot in the leg) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE, blood clot in the lung).
• Infection – Superficial Infection around the wound or Deep or Joint Infection.
• Persistent pain – ongoing after your recovery and rehabilitation period.
• Stiffness in the hip – difficulty moving the hip which is worse than before your surgery.
• Instability – occasionally your hip replacement may feel unstable or dislocate. This may require further surgery.
• Peri-Prosthetic Fracture – this is a fracture that occurs in the bone around the joint replacement and can occur either during the operation or afterwards.
• Prosthesis Wear or Loosening – the mechanical joint may eventually wear out and need replacing. In some patients this can happen earlier.
• Nerve or Vascular Injury – It is normal to have some patchy areas of numbness on the skin around the wound, which is often permanent but does not cause a problem. There are also several large nerves in the area, and although very rare, if damaged can lead to numbness and / or weakness lower down in the leg. This normally resolves in a few months but can sometimes be permanent.
• Medical Problems – there is a small risk of developing medical problems which can include problems with breathing, the heart, a stroke or bleeding. There is a very small chance you will require a blood transfusion after the operation.

Reducing the Risks
In order to reduce the risk of some of these complications, the team will encourage you to mobilise early after your operation, sometimes on the same day. You may be asked to wear elasticated compression stockings on one or both legs. You will be given some antibiotics as a precaution during your operation and sometimes afterwards. 

If you are overweight, losing some weight can help reduce your risk of infection, and developing some of the other medical problems. Stopping smoking can also reduce these risks, as smoking can cause the wound to take longer to heal. 

Getting your hip moving soon after your surgery with the therapy team will reduce your chance of getting ongoing stiffness and pain, improve your rehabilitation and maximise the chances of getting an excellent outcome from your surgery.

The Hip Replacement Journey – What Happens Now?

Once you have been placed on a waiting list by your surgeon, there are a number of things that you need to do and some appointments you need to attend.

You will be notified by the hospital for any clinic appointments and your date of surgery.

You will be encouraged to lose weight if appropriate and stop smoking as these two changes have been shown to reduce post-operative complications.

Pre-operative assessment clinic
It is vital that you attend your pre-operative assessment clinic appointment. During the appointment you will undergo some medical checks and tests that ensure you are fit for surgery. They will also ask about your current symptoms, past medical history and any medications you may be taking.

It is important to let us know in the pre-op assessment clinic if you are taking any blood thinning tablets for example warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or diclofenac medications as you may need to stop taking these prior to your operation. Only do this under the direction of the medical team.

Please bring with you a list of the medications you are taking or have recently stopped taking. These include medicines prescribed by your G.P. and other specialist consultants and also over the counter and herbal medications.

You will also need to bring a list of your past medical history and any documentation or paperwork you may have regarding this.

If you have a long-term illness, heart, lung, diabetic or thyroid conditions, you will likely need to see an anaesthetist and maybe a specialist prior to your operation.

If it is deemed you are not fit for surgery, your operation will be cancelled, and an out-patient appointment will be made with your consultant team to discuss further options and future plans.

Pre-operative Information
You will be provided with information to help you prepare for your surgery and discharge home.

• This leaflet contains essential basic information. To supplement this leaflet we have made a series of videos available on our website www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/pre-operative-assessment-clinic

These videos provide information about your operation and recovery. They also cover essential exercises and occupational therapy advice for you to follow after your surgery.

The occupational therapy team will contact you before your operation date to assess your ability to manage safely and independently at home. You will be given advice about daily activities and where necessary, equipment will be provided.

Preparation for Hospital
As soon as you are placed on the waiting list for surgery, you can start to make sure you are preparing for coming into hospital. Having a joint replacement is a major operation and should not be undertaken lightly. The harder work and effort you put in both before and after your operation, the better results you are likely to get.

• Diet – ensure you are eating a healthy balanced diet. Our pre-admission nurses will advise you if you need to do anything specific regarding your diet.
• Medications – check with your GP to ensure your medication is up to date and as effective as it can be.
• Exercise – getting stronger and fitter before your operation will help your recovery afterwards. It is good to begin the exercises at the end of this booklet as soon as possible, don’t wait until after your operation.
• Walking – practice using your walking sticks or crutches if you have been given them in a pre-operative appointment.
• Dental – if you have loose or broken teeth or crowns that are not secure it is a good idea to see your dentist, as they can become broken or dislodged during the anaesthetic procedure.
• Skin – if you have any cuts, grazes, ulcers or broken skin, please inform us before coming to hospital. 
• Nails – remove any nail varnish or false nails prior to admission.

It is also important to prepare your home and environment before coming to hospital. This will mean less worry for you after your operation and will prevent any delays to your discharge.

• Shopping – it will be difficult to shop for the first few weeks when you are using walking aids and unable to carry heavy things. Get some shopping in and arrange who will be able to shop for you until you’re able to get there.
• Meals – plan ahead and cook some meals to put in the freezer or buy some ready-made meals.
• House – move any rugs or furniture that will make getting around more difficult. Put regularly used items in easily accessible places. Consider getting a flask and a rucksack so you can have a cup of tea or coffee and carry it to another room, as you will not be able to do this using your sticks or crutches.
• Housework – arrange for someone to do the heavy housework for approximately 3 months after your operation. You will be able to do the lighter bits as soon as your walking is improving.

What to bring to Hospital?

• Medication – we will normally ask that you take your normal medication whilst in hospital so please bring it with you.
• Clothing – it is expected that you change into day clothes during the day rather than sit in night clothes. The ward is warm, so loose fitting clothes, shorts or skirts and t-shirts may be all you need but bring a cardigan or jumper in case you feel cold.
• Shoes – bring sensible footwear that fits securely to your feet, either well-fitting slippers with backs on or some pumps or trainers. We do not recommend slippers without backs, mules, heeled shoes, flip-flops or sliders. Make sure that shoes or slippers are not too tight as your feet will often swell after your operation, so adjustable footwear is a good idea.
• Valuables – please do not bring any valuables or money with you as Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust cannot accept responsibility for these items.
• Headphones – mobile telephones, portable televisions and personal stereo systems must only be used with headphones.
• Smoking & Alcohol – the hospitals operate a no smoking policy and smoking is not permitted in any of the hospital buildings. Alcohol is strictly not allowed.

Please contact your pre-op assessment clinic:

• If you are unsure which medication you must stop. If we do not want you to take your normal medication, your surgeon or anaesthetist will explain what you should do.
• If you do not feel well and have a cough, a cold or any other illness in the four weeks before you are due to come your operation. Depending on your illness and how urgent your surgery is, we may need to delay your operation as it may be better for you to recover from this illness before your surgery.

Admission to Hospital
You will normally be admitted on the day of your surgery and will be told a time to come to the ward. Please follow the fasting guidelines you will have been given and ensure you have a bath or shower before you come in. Do not apply creams after your shower unless you have been advised to do so.

On arrival you will be welcomed to the ward, your details checked and given a wristband with your details on. The nursing staff will check your blood pressure, temperature and pulse. You may be asked to put compression stockings on before your operation. Before you go to theatre, the nursing staff will ask you to change into a hospital gown.

Anaesthetist Visit
Once you have been admitted to the ward the anaesthetist will come to see you and discuss your anaesthetic. They will ask you about your general health, past medical history, any previous anaesthetics, allergies, medicines you are taking, your dental history and how good the movement in your neck is. Your anaesthetist will discuss the anaesthetic plan with you depending on your medical history and your wishes. They will care for all aspects of your health and safety over the period of your operation and immediately afterwards. 

Getting ready for theatre 
You will change into a theatre gown and be taken to the operating theatre with one of the theatre team. When you arrive in the anaesthetic room one of the team will attach standard equipment to monitor your heart, blood pressure and oxygen levels. Your anaesthetist will also be giving you medicines through a drip in the back of your hand. These will be antibiotics, anti-sickness medicines and fluids. 

Spinal anaesthetic 
In most cases your anaesthetist will give you a spinal anaesthetic. This avoids the need for having a general anaesthetic, which can cause unpleasant side effects.
A spinal anaesthetic is an injection in your back that numbs the lower half of your body. 
Spinal anaesthetic also helps you to recover quickly and receive the best post-operative pain relief 
Once the spinal anaesthetic is working well, you will be taken into the operating theatre. 

The operation 
Once you are in the operating theatre, your leg will be painted with cleaning fluid and then covered with drapes 
Some people find listening to music, audio book or a podcast to be a good distraction. Please bring in your audio device and headphones should you wish to do this. Some patients prefer to have a small amount of sedation so that they can have a light sleep through their surgery. 

What are the risks of anaesthetic? 
Common side effects of having a spinal or anaesthetic are low blood pressure, itching of the skin, temporary difficulty in passing urine requiring a catheter, headache, pain during injection. Rare complications – nerve damage, temporary loss of sensation, pins and needles and sometimes muscle weakness may last for a few days or even weeks but almost all of these make a full recovery in time. Permanent nerve damage is rare 1 in 50,000 spinals.
Common side effects of having a general anaesthetic include drowsiness, nausea (feeling sick), muscle pain, sore throat and headache.

Following surgery
You will be transferred to recovery at the end of your operation. The nurses will monitor your observations. You will be given post-operative drink and pain relief medication. This energy drink helps support your healing and immunity. It will also give you some energy which will help you get up and start walking after your operation. When your spinal anaesthetic has adequately worn off you will be assessed by the therapy team.

You may have a drip in your arm to keep you hydrated, this will be removed once you’re eating and drinking normally. 

Medication
A joint replacement is painful, good pain relief is essential after your operation as it helps you recover more quickly. We will give you strong pain relief medicines. However, you should still expect mild to moderate pain on movement.

The pain relief package you receive has been created to try and control your pain as well as possible, to allow you to get up and about and do your exercises. It starts on the day of the surgery and continues after your discharge home. We will give you the same pain medicines whether you stay in hospital overnight or return home on the same day as your operation. 

Nursing staff will offer pain relief regularly, but if you need extra pain relief please ask. The hospital has a specialised acute pain team that can see you if you’re struggling to get pain controlled.

It is important that you report any pain you have as soon as you experience it.

The nursing staff will administer your regular medications and any pain killers you need  and check your dressings. We will give you the same pain medicines whether you stay in hospital overnight or return home on the same day as your operation. 

Additional medicines 
We will ask you to take additional medicines to help reduce side effects constipation and nausea. Other medicines will be given to reduce the risk of blood clots after the operation. You will be given clear instruction the medicines you are sent home with and when to take them.

Stay active after your operation
The sooner you get up and walk after surgery the faster your recovery will be. You will also have a lower risk of complications after your operation. Keeping still after the operation tends to result in your leg swelling, which makes its more painful to walk on. This can cause more side effects which require more pain relief resulting in a vicious cycle.

You will be encouraged to get washed and dressed as independently as you can. Please bring appropriate, loose, comfortable day wear as well as night clothes.

Physiotherapy
You may be seen by the physiotherapy team as early as 4 hours after your operation. They will teach you some exercises and may help you to stand up or start walking a short distance if you’re able to do so.

Exercises
It is essential that you carry out these exercises as soon as possible after your operation and whenever you are resting to help prevent blood clots.

Deep Breathing Exercises
To help to keep your chest as clear as possible, take 3 or 4 deep breaths every hour. Try to breathe as deeply as possible, hold the breath for 3 seconds and then breathe slowly out. After the last breath try to “huff” out the air. This may stimulate a cough. Some people may experience a productive cough after anaesthetic. If you are productive, try to cough the phlegm up and clear it from your chest.

Exercise Programme
It is essential to practice the exercises independently and regularly throughout the day.

It is also a good idea to start doing these exercises regularly before you come into hospital.

After your operation the physiotherapy team will check how you are managing with your exercises and will encourage you to do them on your own at least three times per day. It is important to continue them once you have been discharged home from hospital.

Strengthening

Clench your bottom cheeks firmly together. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 10 times.
Lying or sitting on the bed with your leg straight out in front of you. Tighten the muscles at the front of your thigh to press the back of your knee into the bed. Hold the tightening for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.
Lying or sitting on the bed with your legs out in front of you, place a rolled towel or a block under your knee. Keeping the back of your knee on the towel or block, straighten your knee as much as possible so your heel lifts off the bed. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly lower your heel back to the bed. Repeat 10 times.
Sitting on a chair or the edge of your bed. Lift your heel off the floor and straighten your knee. Hold for 5 seconds as straight as you can. Slowly lower your foot back to the floor. Repeat 10 times.

Hip Range of Movement

On the bed, with a sliding board or sliding sheet under your heel, bend your hip up as far as you can, sliding your heel towards your bottom. Hold the bent position for 5 seconds and slowly straighten back out.
On the bed, with a sliding board or sliding sheet under your heel, slide your leg out to the side as far as you can and then slide back to the midline.

Do not worry if some exercises are difficult to start with. Keep trying and they will get easier. Stop if they are very painful and ask your physiotherapist for advice.

It is recommended you avoid any extreme movements or positions that may cause you undue discomfort, such as squatting. You should only move in directions that are comfortable and do not push your hip into any positions that cause you pain.

Mobilising
You will usually begin to walk either on the same day, or the day following your operation. Sometimes this is not the case, but do not worry. The physiotherapy or nursing staff will advise you when this can happen.

You must wait for a member of staff to help you get out of bed and walk for the first time, do not try to do it by yourself.

The nursing staff or physiotherapy team will help you to get out of bed. Once you have the required strength and balance the physiotherapy team will show you how to walk correctly using an appropriate walking aid (elbow crutches, walking sticks, or occasionally a zimmer frame). Once you have been assessed by the physiotherapy team, it is important that you continue to practice walking regularly and this may be with other members of staff. The aim is to gain independence with walking with the aids as soon as possible, so you can get around the ward and to and from the bathroom on your own or with minimal supervision as soon as it is safe to do so.

Standing Up and Sitting Down

From a chair / bed / toilet etc. the advice is the same; It is more comfortable to put the operated leg out in front of you when you stand up or sit down. Place your hands on the arms of the chair or on the bed either side of your bottom. Use your un-operated leg and your hands to push yourself up to standing or to lower yourself back down slowly. Do not pull up on a walking frame or have your arms through the supports of your elbow crutches to move.

Walking Sequence

You will normally start with elbow crutches and may progress to sticks or be discharged with crutches.
Sometimes if you have problems with your other leg or poor balance it is possible to use a zimmer frame. Whether you are using a frame, stick or crutches, the sequence should be as follows;

Move the walking aid forward. Step your operated (“bad”) leg forward. Step your un-operated (“good”) leg forward.

Turning around can be to either side, but you must prevent twisting or pivoting on your new hip. Therefore, you must pick your feet up with each step so that the operated leg is not placed too far in or out.

It is important that you are measured correctly by your physiotherapist for the walking aid you are using.

You should practice your exercises independently and the physiotherapy team will continue to practice and progress your mobility as able. Once you are ready you will practice stairs or steps if required.

The Occupational Therapy team may see you, if required after surgery to practice any activities of daily living such as washing and dressing, getting in and out of bed, on and off chairs and the toilet and make sure you’re confident with these tasks before you are discharged home.

The ward Pharmacist will see you during your stay to check all of your medications are prescribed correctly for when you leave hospital. This will include your usual medications alongside any new ones required after your operation. They will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your medication.

Stairs
Once you are walking independently, with or without a walking aid, you will practice some steps or stairs. This will depend on your individual needs for discharge home. It is important to take one step at a time and if there is a handrail or banister to use it. It does not matter which side the rail is on.

Going Up

Use the rail on one side and the stick or crutch on the other; Step up with your un-operated leg. Step up with your operated leg. Bring your stick or crutch to the same step.

Going down

Use the rail on one side and the stick or crutch on the other; Put your stick or crutch down on to the next step. Step your operated leg down. Step your un-operated leg down last to the same step.

Without rails or getting up and down kerb stones
If there is not a rail or to go up or down kerbs, use the same order as above, but use both of your sticks or crutches. They should be moved in the same order.

Leaving Hospital
Once you are feeling well and have met all of the discharge criteria below you will able to leave the hospital and go home.

Length of Stay
We aim for you to go home as soon as possible after your operation. This could be the same day as your surgery, although some people need to stay a little longer.

It is quite normal for your hip to feel swollen or stiff for up to 6 months after surgery. Take regular rest breaks and ‘paddle’ your ankles. If however your calf becomes swollen, hard, hot, red and tender, it may mean you have a blood clot in your vein and you need to contact your GP immediately.

Discharge Criteria
However long you are in hospital for, you will need to meet the following criteria before you are discharged home;

• Walk independently with an appropriate walking aid.
• Get up and down steps or stairs (if required).
• Get on and off the bed, a chair and the toilet independently, with or without equipment.
• Be medically stable.
• Have made sufficient progress with moving your hip.
• Have made sufficient progress with your hip strength.
• Have all the therapy equipment in place that you require.

Medication when you leave hospital
Before you leave hospital, the pharmacy may give you any extra medication that you need to take when you are at home, for example, strong painkillers.

• Please make sure you have an adequate supply of paracetamol or ibuprofen at home as these will not be supplied.
• Please ensure you have sufficient supplies of any other regular medication from your GP, before coming in to hospital.
• You will be issued with a sharps box if required, please close securely and return to the hospital when you come for your follow-up out-patient appointment

Recovery time
How long it takes for you to fully recover from your surgery varies from person to person, but usually It can take from 6 to 12 weeks. You may have family or close friends nearby who are able to support you in your home during the early part of your recovery period. 

Stitches/Wound care
Wound care depends upon your surgeon preference. Your nurse will advise how long dressings need to stay on for and a supply of dressings will be given to you if needed.

Water proof dressings can be worn during showering. Do not expose the wound to water until at least 14 days post-operatively or until the wound has healed well.

Any clips or stitches that seal the wound will need to be removed after about 14 days. You may have an absorbable suture and will only require a steristrip to be removed. This can usually be done at your GP practice. The nursing staff will advise you of this before you leave.

Look out for excessive oozing, swelling, redness and warmth around the wound and any unusual or excessive increase in pain. If any of these occur and you are concerned please contact your GP surgery. You may ring the ward for advice.

A certain amount of swelling is to be expected and elevation will help relieve this. It is not recommended to use a foot stool but to lie on the bed with your whole leg supported as needed.

Compression Stockings
You must keep compression stockings on for at least six weeks after surgery. These can be taken off for one hour during the day to wash and moisturise your leg but must be worn at all other times. If they begin to cause pain due to excessive swelling please contact the ward for advice. You will be given 2 sets to take home so they can be washed.

Getting Dressed
Sit down on a firm chair or bed while getting dressed. Remember to dress your operated leg first and undress it last. Do not force your hip to bend beyond discomfort. You may find it difficult to reach your feet after the operation and the occupational therapist can advise on any equipment you can purchase to assist you. This will be discussed pre-operatively and it is recommended you purchase any aids prior to surgery. Please clearly label them with your name if you bring them onto the ward.

Personal hygiene
You will not be able to use the bath or shower until your wound is dry and completely healed. The time for this may vary.

Once your wound has healed, when stepping into a shower cubicle use your un-operated leg first (the same technique as when managing stairs). We advise you not to use a bath following your surgery initially, therefore you may prefer to strip wash until you feel you can safely manage a shower cubicle.

Sleeping position
You may sleep in any position you prefer, but may find it more comfortable to sleep on your back. If you are sleeping on your side, you may choose to have a pillow between your legs

Diet
You do not usually need to follow a special diet. If you need to change what you eat, we will give you advice before you go home. Some loss of appetite is common following surgery. A balanced diet high in protein is important to promote healing and restore muscle strength.

Following surgery, a degree of anaemia is common, leaving you feeling tired, there is information regarding ‘iron in your diet’ available on the website or as a leaflet from pre-op clinic.

It is important to also drink adequate fluids and this can help reduce constipation.

Household tasks
We recommend that you only do light household duties for the first two months. In the kitchen cook on the top of your cooker – not the oven as this requires lifting hot things out with both hands. Use the grill and microwave oven if you have one. Move around the kitchen with your walking aids or with a stick in one hand and your other hand supported on the work surface. It is important for someone to do your shopping for you until you are fully mobile. Do not lift heavy bags.

Light exercise and hobbies
You can return to your hobbies again for example light gardening and walking six to 10 weeks after your surgery. You may also begin exercise classes again, letting your instructor know that you have had a hip replacement. All should be done in moderation without excessive effort. Your Consultant will advise you on sporting activities.

Sex
You may resume sexual activities as soon as you feel ready. Let your partner take an active role. You may find that certain positions are more comfortable.

Car Driving or being a passenger
You should not drive until you feel confident that you could perform an emergency stop without discomfort – probably at least 6 to 8 weeks after your operation. It is your responsibility to check with your insurance company.

When getting out of a car make sure that it is on level ground and not too near the kerb. It is useful to push the seat as far back on the runners as it will go to allow maximum leg room.

Work
How long you will need to be away from work varies depending on:

• How serious the surgery is;
• How quickly you recover;
• Whether or not your work is physical; and
• Whether you need any extra treatment after surgery.

Most people will not be fully back to work for 6 to 12 weeks. Please ask us if you need a medical sick note for the time you are in hospital and for the first three to four weeks after you leave.

Outpatient appointment
Before you leave hospital, we may give you a follow-up appointment to see the consultant, or, if not, this will be sent to you in the post.

Contact details
If you have any specific concerns that you feel have not been answered and need explaining, please contact the following.

Alexandra Hospital
Ward 16 – 01527 512104

Kidderminster Treatment Centre
Ward 1 – 01562 512356

National Joint Registry
The National Joint Registry (NJR) for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Sates of Guernsey collects information on all hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder replacement operations, to monitor the performance of joint replacement implants and the effectiveness of different types of surgery, improving clinical standards and benefitting patients, clinicians and the whole orthopaedic sector. You can access the information online at www.njrcentre.org.uk

Other information
The following internet websites contain information that you may find useful.

• www.patient.co.uk for information fact sheets on health and disease
• www.rcoa.ac.uk for information leaflets by the Royal College of Anaesthetists about ‘Having an anaesthetic’
• www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk an On-line health encyclopaedia
• www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/pre-operative-assessment-clinic

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything, please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.

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