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Trauma and Orthopaedics

Support Orthopaedic SDG to deliver national improvement initiatives

Over the year, the team have supported the work of the Orthopaedic Speciality Delivery Groups (SDG). This has involved working with Boards and the SDG to identify opportunities to implement and drive national improvement initiatives.  

Key areas have included supporting improvements in arthroplasty operations and supporting Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) improvements for hip and knee surgery. 

There has been a 30% increase in the number of hip and knee operations carried out in Scotland, with CfSD supporting actions in helping Boards achieve this. In addition, there has been an 8% increase in the number of patients discharged within 3 days of surgery (As a result of implementing Enhanced recovery After Surgery). 

Provide local support to Boards including highlighting improvement opportunities and reducing variation 

During the year, the Trauma and Orthopaedics Team carried out a series of peer review visits with Boards. Following these visits, a number of actions were agreed. The team are currently working with Boards to develop local workplans based on the actions that have been agreed.  

A key element of the workplans is around helping Boards to implement and roll out the high impact opportunities developed by the CfSD MPP Programme. These include Active Clinical Referral Triage (ACRT), Patient Initiated Review (PIR), Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) and same day surgery opportunities.   

Development of national Orthopaedic plan 

The Scottish Government have asked the team to develop a National Delivery Plan for Trauma and Orthopaedics. This work will continue into next year.     

Improve data and support national audits to drive improvement 

The team successfully ran a Scottish Hip Fracture audit webinar during the year. This event attracted over 460 attendees including some international delegates. The team have already started planning for another similar event to be held next year. 

In addition, the team have helped launch the new mobile app for the 4AT delirium screening tool within NHS Scotland. Over the next year, the team will continue to promote the 4AT app and help roll it out across more areas.