RUH receives national praise for treatment of patients with hip fractures

The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation trust has been named as one of the top two trusts in the country for its care of older patients who have broken a hip.

Data published on Friday (December 13) in the National Hip Fracture Database annual report highlighted the excellent standard of care provided at the RUH.

In a letter to the Trust, Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England and NHS Improvement, said: "Older patients with hip fracture are frail and vulnerable and achieving a good outcome requires a high standard of care throughout the patient's journey.

"This includes prompt admission through the Emergency Department, excellent care on the ward, a high standard of surgery and anaesthesia, medical care from dedicated physicians in health care of the elderly, rehabilitation and work to prevent further falls and fractures.

"Achieving this remarkable result requires dedication and skill from all members of the team."

At the RUH, patients who have broken their hip are cared for on either Forrester Brown ward or Pierce ward. Forrester Brown ward Senior Sister George Gallagher said: "The patients here get really good care. During the day we always have a hip fracture doctor on the ward who is supported by a team of consultants.

"As soon as patients come back from theatre they are reviewed by a member of the medical team and we aim to get them up, with the help of a physiotherapist, on the following day, so they can start their recovery.

"I'm very proud of the team on Forrester Brown ward – the staff are amazing and we are supported by excellent departments across the RUH to help our patients recover and get back on their feet as quickly as possible."

Consultant Geriatrician Dr Katrina Hicks added: "At the RUH, patients who have broken a hip receive a high level of support from the Older People's Unit physicians, who manage the pre and post-operative care for these vulnerable patients."

Patient Carole Clements broke her hip when she fell during a Christmas shopping trip in Bath. She was full of praise for the care she had received at the RUH.

"The staff here are very good," she said. "They are very friendly and caring – nothing seems to be too much trouble for them. I have been really well looked after and feel like I'm making a good recovery."

You can view the National Hip Fracture Database at www.nhfd.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust has opened the purpose-built RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre and is now working towards the new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future

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