Health Minister officially opens new units at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

01/07/2010

The Health Minister, Edwina Hart, has officially open two new units at Wrexham-Maelor Hospital that will speed up treatment, recovery and improve patient care.

The new Orthopaedic Rapid Recovery Ward was designed to reduce the time spent in hospital, aid fast recovery, and to increase patient satisfaction following total knee surgery.

It is regarded as a leading centre of excellence in Britain with hospitals looking to develop similar initiatives.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – which runs Wrexham-Maelor Hospital - is looking to replicate this initiative for other procedures.

Mrs Hart said:

"This project has reduced the total impact of surgery whilst patients are in hospital, but also ensures that comprehensive help and support is available once a patient is discharged.

"It has been very successful, seeing the average length of a stay in hospital for knee surgery drop from five days to two and a half days. Patients also feel better educated and more independent. This not only speeds up treatment for patients but is a more effective and efficient use of finite resources in these challenging financial times.

"I am delighted that other hospitals are now looking to follow this innovative initiative developed by clinicians at the hospital."

The Minister also opened the Assembly Government-funded older person's mental health unit, part of a £25million investment in mental health facilities on the site.

The Minister said:

"This state-of-the-art development will improve the care on offer to people living with mental health conditions, and help to aid their recovery and quality of life.

"It was only a year ago that I visited the site of this new development and I am pleased to see that patients and staff are now benefiting from this new facility."

While at the hospital the Minister, accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas, visited the Wrexham Frailty Fast Track Project.

The pilot project was launched in October 2009 to ensure that older and frail patients are navigated through the hospital care system as quickly as possible so they can return to their own home promptly. It is widely believed that patients who are admitted for minor ailments sometimes experience unnecessary delays which affect their ability to care for themselves.

The Ministers heard from staff about the progress they are making, and had the opportunity to speak to a patient and carer.

The Deputy Minister said:

"Patients are now staying in hospitals for five days less than what they would have before the project, and are telling us that they are much happier with the service and care they are receiving.

"This is improving the care for patients and enabling them to return home sooner and remain independent for longer at home. I am pleased that given the positive results from this pilot project, it will continue at the hospital."

Michael Williams, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, added:

"We are delighted to welcome the Ministers to visit these three developments.  Although they relate to three very different aspects of health care, they all use new approaches to care and all aim to reduce the time people spend in hospital. 

"And in each case patients have played a key part in the design of these services and facilities, working with us to ensure we understand and meet their needs.