Hip replacement first at Raigmore Hospital

The elective orthopaedic team at Raigmore Hospital has safely achieved their first day case total hip replacement within NHS Highland.

This means the patient was able to go home the day of their hip replacement – a first for the region.

A spokesman for the health board said: "This has been the result of excellent work within the department and demonstrates the positive outcomes achieved from collaborative teamwork.

"The primary focus has been to improve the patient pathway from point of referral to discharge. Making and sustaining these improvements enables patients to recover from joint replacement surgery quicker and generally they report less pain.

"As a result, patients have a shorter length of stay in hospital and even day case joint replacement surgery is possible.

"A huge well done to all involved in this achievement."

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