Your orthopaedic journey
Your outpatient appointment
Once we receive the referral from your GP, we will make you an appointment to see either a consultant or a member of their team.
During your first appointment, we will find out more about your current problem and will usually examine the affected joint or area. If necessary, an x-ray or alternative investigations will be arranged to build up a clearer picture of your condition.
The treatment options available will be discussed with you. Please bear in mind that not all treatments you may have heard about will be appropriate for your specific condition and circumstances. Your consultant’s team will provide you with detailed information including the risks and benefits of any proposed treatment and what would be involved in surgery and recovery if this is an option. You will then have time to consider whether you wish to go ahead with the proposed treatment options.
If you need to contact someone about your outpatient appointment, please contact your consultant’s secretary, or call the telephone number provided on your appointment letter.
Pre-operative assessment appointment
If you and your consultant’s team decide on surgical treatment, you will then be given an appointment to attend the pre-operative assessment clinic. These assessments are to ensure you are fit and well enough for surgery and anaesthetic.
You will be reviewed by a nurse practitioner in our orthopaedic outpatient or main outpatient department. There are specially trained nurses who carry out several tests, including (but not limited to):
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blood tests
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blood pressure checks
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ECGs
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additional cardiology tests, for example an echo cardiogram
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chest x-rays
Please bring the following to your pre-operative assessment appointment:
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a list of all your current medications
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a list of allergies, including the type of reaction (particularly if a latex or nickel allergy)
The pre-assessment team will also assess your past medical history and discuss the arrangements you may need in place to return home after surgery.
If you have a complicated medical history or multiple other conditions, you may be seen by a consultant anaesthetist. They will carry out an extra review to make sure you are fit for surgery. This may happen on the same day as your pre-assessment appointment, or you may have the tests and/or review at another time.
What happens if the assessment shows that I am not fit for surgery?
If you have a medical condition that needs to be treated before you can be safely operated on, this will be highlighted at the pre-assessment. You will need to be referred back to your GP, who can organise any treatments and you will be removed from our waiting list until you are fit for surgery. When your GP lets us know you are well enough to proceed, they will notify our admissions department, who will put you back on the waiting list.
If you have any questions, the telephone number for orthopaedic pre-assessment is 0300 019 4102
Admissions
After your pre assessment appointment, your details will be passed onto the admissions team who will contact you to arrange a date for your procedure. You will be given information regarding your admission, such as what time to arrive and where to go.
You will be called by the orthopaedic outpatient nursing team a few days before your admission date. This is to confirm your date of admission, check that you are fit to proceed with surgery, and answer any questions you have. If you are having a hip or knee replacement, then you will also be contacted by the orthopaedic therapy team to discuss your rehabilitation and managing at home after your surgery.
It is not always possible to give a duration for your stay because each person’s recovery is dependent on several factors. After your procedure you will be seen by a range of professionals who will assist you and assess your recovery. When you are medically well and have achieved all the goals needed for discharge, you can leave hospital and continue your recovery at home.
If you are having a day case procedure, you should be able to go home on the same day as your procedure providing you feel well and there are no complications. If you are having a day case procedure you will be notified of this before your admission as you will need a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours following your surgery.
Cancellations
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please contact us immediately so we can reschedule your appointment and offer your original appointment to another patient.
The telephone number for orthopaedic admissions is 0300 019 4919
Locations for your procedure and inpatient stay
There are several areas within Royal Bournemouth Hospital where orthopaedic surgery and recovery takes place:
Sandbourne Suite
The Sandbourne suite has an admission area where you will prepare for surgery on the day of your procedure. It has two operating theatres and opposite is the main theatre suite. There are also two recovery bays, one male and one female. You may be asked to arrive at the Sandbourne suite on the day of your surgery if you are having day case surgery, or if you are going to ward 7 or ward 12 after your surgery.
Telephone number: 0300 019 6105
Ward 12
This is a mixed speciality overnight stay ward. You may go to ward 12 after your surgery to recover and be monitored and either go home that day or the following day. You will be reviewed by orthopaedic therapists and doctors as needed while you are on the ward.
Telephone number: 0300 019 4770
Ward 7 (currently located in the eye ward)
Ward 7 is an orthopaedic ward in the main hospital, usually used for patients undergoing more complex hip and knee surgery, or revision surgery. Some patients may require a short stay on this ward following shoulder, or foot and ankle, surgery.
Telephone number: 0300 019 4716
The Derwent
The Derwent has three orthopaedic theatres, primarily used for hip and knee replacement surgery. There are 29 individual patient rooms with ensuites, and all aspects of your inpatient care can happen here, including x-ray, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Telephone number for the ward: 0300 019 6223
Telephone number for Derwent physiotherapy/occupational therapy 0300 019 6221
Bournemouth Private Clinic
Patients having private orthopaedic surgery will have their outpatient appointments and inpatient stay in the Bournemouth Private Clinic. This is situated in the main hospital building
Telephone number: 0300 019 5189
Your inpatient stay
Information on your inpatient stay can be found here. This will outline how to prepare for your surgery, what will happen during your stay, and give information about your discharge from hospital.
Follow up appointments
Once you have been discharged home after your surgery, you may need one or more of the following appointments:
Wound check/redressing
This may be with the nurse at your GP practice or in the orthopaedic outpatient department at the Royal Bournemouth hospital. Before you leave hospital, you will be told when to expect a wound review and how to arrange your appointment if needed. You will also be given advice on how to look after your wound.
Follow up with surgeon’s team
In most cases, you will be offered an appointment between two to six weeks after your surgery. This is to review your progress and symptoms and give additional advice for your recovery. Full recovery takes several months, so you should not expect to be fully recovery and symptom free by this appointment.
Plaster room
You may have a plaster cast after surgery to immobilise your joint and allow healing to take place. The technicians in the plaster room will amend or remove a plaster cast when advised by the surgeon and may provide further support such as a walking boot or splint if needed.
More information about plaster care can be found here.
Telephone number: 0300 019 4442
Outpatient physiotherapy
You may need ongoing support from a physiotherapist to guide your recovery after surgery. The appointments will take place at a physiotherapy department closest to where you live. For example, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne, St Leonards and Swanage hospitals all have outpatient physiotherapy departments. If you live further away, we can discuss a location suitable for you. Please note that hand therapy is a specialist service and not all physiotherapy departments have the specialist equipment to make custom splints etc. If you need any follow up physiotherapy appointments, the orthopaedic physiotherapist will complete a referral and will discuss the location with you.
A small number of patients may need physiotherapy in their own homes. This is provided by your local community therapy team, and they will generally become involved if you have significant mobility issues. Please note there is often a long waiting list for this and physiotherapy as an outpatient at your local hospital is more suitable for most people.
