New orthopaedic centre hopes to cut waiting time for NHS surgery

A state-of-the-art specialist surgical centre located just outside of Bath has welcomed its first patients.

The Sulis Orthopaedic Centre opened om Tuesday 27 May, and will perform an additional 3,000 planned orthopaedic operations on suitable NHS patients every year.

It is hoped the extra capacity will help to significantly reduce waiting times for many patients awaiting planned routine operations, such as hip and knee replacements.

Based at Sulis Hospital in Peasedown St John, the centre is a collaboration between Sulis and the region’s three NHS acute hospital trusts.

Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive of BSW Hospitals Group, which is made up of Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Not only will the new centre make a real difference by reducing waiting times for orthopaedic surgery, but it will also help to safeguard our services from the increase in demand that we expect to see in the future.

Patients having treatment in the new centre will remain under the care of their NHS hospital consultants, who will still perform the operations and maintain oversight of the entire surgical journey.

The new centre builds on an already successful working relationship held between the RUH and Sulis, with the two hospitals having previously entered into an official partnership in 2021.

Simon Milner, Hospital Director, Sulis Hospital, said: “The opening of the Sulis Orthopaedic Centre, situated next to the existing Sulis Hospital, marks a significant and much-anticipated milestone.

“Working in partnership with the NHS enables us to give back to the local community in meaningful ways and we’re excited to pioneer a new, collaborative approach to healthcare that benefits everyone.”

Find out more at www.ruh.nhs.uk.