We are delighted to share another outstanding accomplishment by the SWAOC team at the Nightingale Hospital Exeter in its ground-breaking work to develop innovative new orthopaedic pathways, deliver exceptional patient care, and help reduce waiting times in the region.

In October 2023 the team embarked on their first spinal operating list, and just over a year later we are very pleased to announce that they have successfully completed over 100 spinal procedures. This remarkable milestone is a testament to the exceptional dedication, skill, and teamwork of the SWAOC team.

Spinal disorders can significantly affect quality of life, especially for those who have been on a waiting list for a long time, so to be able to offer these elective spinal surgeries to patients really helps make a difference and improve their lives. The focus of spinal lists at SWAOC are predominantly day-case procedures, so patients will usually be able to have this life-changing surgery without the need for an overnight stay.

Reflecting on this achievement, Mr Henry Budd, Consultant Spinal Surgeon at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is fantastic news, well done to everyone involved. Patients are being discharged the same day as a result of surgical, anaesthetic, nursing, therapy and administrative services coming together to provide optimised spinal care.

"This service has been uniquely funded through collaboration between the region’s acute hospital providers to assist elective recovery, secure operating during the winter, and provide patients suffering with debilitating conditions the treatment they need. This service is now one of the best in the UK for ambulatory spinal surgery and is being referenced nationally by GIRFT."

This milestone reflects the collaborative efforts and unwavering commitment of everyone involved, from the operating theatre to post-operative care. The success of our spinal surgery service highlights not only the excellence of our clinical teams but also the seamless integration of support services that make such accomplishments possible.

Sarah Lewis, Clinical Matron, added: "We are so fortunate to work with an exceptional team of clinicians, theatre staff, ward nurses, physios, radiology professionals, and administration teams who consistently go above and beyond."

The South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre (SWAOC) is a state-of-the-art centre, which is a GIRFT accredited surgical hub and is an NJR Quality Data Provider. Since it opened in March 2022 it has seen over 3,500 people across Devon, offering vital operations to the local population.