North Midlands Hand Centre at UHNM reaches two thousand patient milestone

More than two thousand patients requiring life-changing hand surgery have now benefited from shorter waiting times at a dedicated day- case facility at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).

The North Midlands Hand Centre at County Hospital, Stafford, provides state-of-the-art treatment whilst reducing the waiting list for hand surgery at UHNM. 
 
Up to eight operations take place each day at the purpose-built centre on a range of conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, trigger finger release, basal thumb arthritis, dupuytren’s, and lumps and bumps of the hand and wrist.
 
The hand centre also treats hand and wrist traumas, with over 700 of the 2,000 patients receiving surgery for fractures, tendons and infections over the past two years. 
 
David Hooper was the hand centre’s two thousandth patient, undergoing a procedure to treat an infected finger on his left hand. 
 
The 68-year-old retired builder from Cheddleton said: “I injured my finger at work several years ago, and recently knocked it, which led to an infection.
 
“I was referred to the hand centre through UHNM’s Emergency Department, and I can’t fault anything. The service has been excellent - efficient, pain-free, and with outstanding care from the staff.” 
 
Mr Akshay Malhotra, Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon and Clinical lead for Hand and Wrist surgery at UHNM said: “It’s been a brilliant two years for patients in Stoke and Trent and Staffordshire who suffer from hand and wrist conditions being managed at UHNM. We have continued to see waiting times for elective hand surgery and hand trauma reduce since the opening of the North Midlands Hand Centre in July 2023.  
 
“Prior to the hand centre opening, nearly 76 per-cent of hand and wrist trauma procedures at UHNM were carried out under general anaesthetic, which brings with it added pressures and risk for both patients and staff. Now 90 per-cent of hand and wrist trauma cases are performed as day case surgeries under regional nerve blocks which have shown to offer better postoperative pain relief, quicker recovery, less nausea, and a lower risk of blood clots than a general anaesthetic. 
 
“We have expanded our service and started to do more complex procedures, and the feedback from our patients has been rewarding. High quality and safe patient care is the utmost priority of each and every member of our team at the Hand centre who work tirelessly for our patients. I would like to thank everybody who has helped us to reach this two thousand patient milestone including surgical colleagues, anaesthetists, radiologists, theatre staff, recovery team, secretaries and admin, hand therapists, outpatient team and the management team.”

As well as a state-of-the-art operating theatre, the Centre also features modern and comfortable changing facilities and a well-equipped recovery room.

Nichola Allerton, operational services manager for trauma and orthopaedics at UHNM: “The opening of the North Midlands Hand Centre has made a massive difference at UHNM, increasing efficiency and freeing up vital theatre capacity across the Trust. Trauma patients can now even be referred for treatment same or next day which makes such a difference to them. I would like to congratulate all the fantastic staff at the hand centre on reaching this remarkable two thousand patient milestone, we couldn’t ask for a better team.” 
 
Mr Malhotra added: “To celebrate its second anniversary, the North Midlands Hand Centre at County Hospital is proud to announce an open day to showcase the facilities to medical staff, students and the public on Saturday 12 July. As well has having the chance to tour the centre, there will also be a range of stalls and exhibits.”