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University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Hospital ‘hand hub’ improves patient experience

An innovative ‘hand hub’ at University Hospitals Dorset is offering same day minor surgical procedures for patients with hand and finger injuries, eliminating the need for a trip to theatre and cutting waiting times for treatment.

The initiative is being run by the hospital’s trauma team and is based in a treatment room at Poole Hospital. Waiting times for patients are between eight and 17 days quicker, with time spent in hospital dramatically reduced.

Consultant surgeon, Miss Joanna Higgins, was behind the vision for the hub, which has been in the planning for two years. Her name has now been added to the initiative.

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Miss Higgins and colleagues in the hub

She said: “Prior to the ‘Higgins Hub’, we carried out around 100 hands theatre cases every year in our main hospital theatres under a general anaesthetic. Now we can carry out these procedures in a more accessible space, using local anaesthetic, which means patients don’t need to be ‘starved’, there is no need to stay in hospital and it reduces the risks of general anaesthetic. It is better for the environment too, as we limit waste, are not using anaesthetic gases and have reduced our carbon footprint.”

She added: “We’re really proud of the hub and the whole team and have had great feedback from our patients already. By treating our patients in this way, not only does it have many benefits for them, but frees up our theatres for other trauma surgery, improving the quality of care we provide to all.”

ben

Patient Ben after his procedure

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