Planned orthopaedic care returns to Royal Stoke

Staff and patients are celebrating after elective orthopaedic surgery returned to the Royal Stoke University Hospital for the first time in more than two years.

Ward 112 was converted into a Covid-19 ward when the pandemic first hit in 2020 with planned orthopaedic procedures being transferred to County Hospital in Stafford or in independent sector facilities. During the last two years, due to pressures across the hospital, the ward and its staff have also been used to support Medicine division.

Katie Shaw, Matron of Trauma Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, said: “We are so proud of each and every one who works on Ward 112. The resilience staff have demonstrated over the last two years is an absolute credit to them and to UHNM and  we are extremely grateful for their support, hard work and commitment. It is fantastic that they are back and providing the high quality service that they do best.”

Sally Kaey Ward 112 Senior Sister, said: “It’s been a very long two years but we’re looking positive towards the future and getting all the elective surgery in that we possibly can. It is onwards and upwards from now and we can start making real inroads into our waiting list and patients will finally get their surgery, thankfully.”

Chief Executive Tracy Bullock said: “Sally and her team who have been nothing short of marvellous and true professionals in the flexibility they have shown. I know they are very keen to get back to being busy with elective patients.”

One of the first patients to be treated on the ward was Anita Brown, of Stafford who had been waiting for a hip replacement since before Covid began. The 80-year-old said: “After a long wait for a hip operation, I am at last here, I can’t say a bad thing about staff, I couldn’t have paid for the treatment I have had.”

Patient Anita Brown with Ward 112 Senior Sister Sally Kaey.​