Patient Praises Pontefract Team As Hospital Celebrates 300th Day Case Joint Replacement

Mr Anthony Shaw, 76, from Mirfield, has praised the care he received at Pontefract Hospital after becoming the 300th patient to successfully undergo day case joint replacement surgery there, in this case on his knee.

The milestone is a double celebration: Mr Shaw was able to return home on the day of his operation, while the hospital marked the success of a pathway that is helping more patients recover in the comfort of their own homes.

In June this year Pontefract Hospital’s orthopaedic surgical hub was awarded national NHS England Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) accreditation for delivering high‑quality clinical care and operational standards for patients. 

Following that accreditation, the GIRFT team recommended the hub should increase the number of day case arthroplasty patients it treated, and this programme was introduced.

Patients using the programme have reported excellent outcomes and high levels of satisfaction, alongside very low rates of complications and readmissions. The team hopes even more suitable orthopaedic surgery patients will be able to benefit from the same-day approach soon.

Mr Shaw said: “After worrying about having the operation, I couldn’t believe how well everything went. I arrived at 7am and was home just after 5pm the same day. All the staff were wonderful and couldn’t do enough for me.

“As the numbness wore off, my leg felt so good I could have danced. I kept up my exercises and, four weeks later, started cycling every day. My leg is now functioning well.”

He added: “I would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff and to the NHS in general.”

David Metcalfe, Senior Physiotherapist, and part of the team who cared for Mr Shaw, said: “Celebrating our 300th patient is a fantastic achievement. The pathway is safe and effective, and strong teamwork at every stage helps patients enjoy the best possible experience, outcome and return home.”

David added: “The achievement was made possible by colleagues across the patient journey, including orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, the pre-assessment and waiting list teams, advanced clinical practitioners, therapy colleagues, nursing staff, the arthroplasty team and nursing management team. Together, they are helping more patients receive high-quality care and recover sooner at home.”