Enhanced pre-op assessment at OUH wins national prize

An initiative to give patients more tailored support before hip and knee surgery has won a national prize.

The project picked up the Bronze award in the Most Effective Contribution to Clinical Redesign category of the HSJ Partnership Awards.

It was also a finalist in the HealthTech Partnership of the Year category.

It is a collaboration between Oxford University Hospitals, PRO-MAPP Health and Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley.

The digital triage tool optimises NHS resources with 70 percent of patients no longer needing an in-person appointment before their operation.

Mash Patel of PRO-MAPP said: "We are thoroughly proud and delighted to be gaining recognition for our platform which has been specifically designed to personalise patient experiences and make the good work of clinicians and administrators throughout the pathway more efficient."

Professor Andrew Price, Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Clinical Director, said: "This project has transformed the way we provide pre-assessment care for patients. It's a fantastic example of digital enhancement of a clinical pathway improving patient experience."

Natasha Brand, Specialist Nurse Practitioner at the pre-assessment clinic, said: "Triaging patients earlier in their surgical pathway has improved the optimisation and management of their complex long-term conditions. This allows follow up of patients to be arranged in a timely manner and to reduce unnecessary visits to the hospital."

Oxford University Hospitals was also a finalist in the Virtual Care category along with two other trusts working with Vygon UK on expanded home use of an elastomeric device.

Read more on the Health Innovation Oxford & Thames Valley website:

Personalised approach improves patient experience before surgery and supports elective recovery