THURSDAY, 28 APRIL, 2022

For immediate release. Photograph attached of staff from the inpatient orthopaedic surgery ward at Perth Royal Infirmary

COVID-19 response staff return to Perth Royal Infirmary

Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) staff, who played an essential role in NHS Tayside’s COVID-19 response, have returned to their specialist roles in Perth.

During the pandemic, the team of 18 staff were transferred from their roles in ward 8 in PRI – the elective orthopaedic surgical ward - to Ninewells Hospital to provide critical care for patients with COVID-19.

Now, in line with NHS Tayside’s plan to remobilise services, ward 8 staff have returned to their specialist roles at Perth Royal Infirmary and the clinical team is preparing to restart elective inpatient orthopaedic surgery on the hospital site in May.

Samantha Edmonds, Senior Nurse in Surgery and Orthopaedics at Perth Royal Infirmary, said, “We are delighted to welcome the orthopaedic surgery team back to Perth Royal Infirmary.

“Throughout the pandemic, the team welcomed the opportunity to be part of NHS Tayside’s wider COVID-19 response. They have all been extremely dedicated to supporting their colleagues and providing essential care for patients.

“The team is now busy making final plans and is looking forward to welcoming patients back to the ward who have been waiting for operations.”

As part of the preparation to reopen the ward, the team has been reviewing the way care is provided to improve the patient treatment journey.

This includes plans to open a small number of ‘fast track’ bays which will mean that when clinically appropriate, patients will be able to return home more quickly after surgery and continue their rehabilitation in their own homes.

The orthopaedic multidisciplinary team is also planning to resume the Joint School at PRI, which offers support and prepares patients and their families or carers for joint surgery. The team provide information and advice about what will happen during their stay in hospital and supports them in recovery after surgery. The Joint School helps reduce the length of time patients spend in hospital before going home to continue their recovery and rehabilitation.

NHS Tayside Chief Executive, Professor Grant Archibald, paid tribute to the ward 8 staff at today’s Tayside NHS Board meeting, saying, “I would like to thank the ward 8 staff in Perth Royal Infirmary who joined colleagues in Ninewells to care for patients during the pandemic.

“The past few years have been challenging for everyone and staff who were redeployed across our organisation have played a significant role in providing care for COVID patients.”

NHS Tayside Chief Officer for Acute Services Lorna Wiggin said, “The NHS Tayside Remobilisation Plan sets out the how we will start to increase activity across our hospital and community services in Tayside and meet the ongoing healthcare needs for people across Tayside.

“It is good to see the elective orthopaedic surgery team back at Perth Royal Infirmary and I am sure they will be pleased to restart services for patients across Tayside in the coming weeks.”

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138