PRACTICE PLUS GROUP
CONNECT
X-ray at our newly opened hospital
Dr Hilary Jones lends his support
Awards season celebrations
WIN! £50 John Lewis crossword prize
Unlocking Access to Excellence.
At Practice Plus Group we believe everybody deserves access to outstanding healthcare.
In our hospitals and surgical centres, this means working with the NHS to treat as many NHS patients as possible and helping to reduce waiting lists.
It also means making private surgery more affordable and easier to access for those who choose to pay for themselves.
We offer faster diagnosis and rapid access to surgery at a time that suits you, with no hidden costs, a dedicated co-ordinator to guide you through, and at up to 30 per cent less than traditional private hospitals. The outstanding care you need, without paying for what you don’t.
4 The scores are in Joint registry awards
6 Pam’s surgery story
Hip hits the right note
7 Back to (joint) school
Helping patients prepare for surgery
8 Excellence Awards
Let’s hear it for our colleagues
9 Dr Hilary Jones opens our new hospital Birmingham opens with no NHS waiting list
12 Day in the life Imaging Manager, Semyna Begum
14 Expert Q&A
All about weight loss surgery
15 Prize crossword competition
Your chance to win £50 John Lewis voucher
WELCOME
Welcome to the winter issue of Connect magazine, for patients and staff of Practice Plus Group hospitals and surgical centres.
Winter is traditionally awards season and I’m extremely proud to celebrate our hospitals’ National Joint Registry (NJR) Data Provider Awards – a marker of our quality and commitment to patient safety (p4) – as well as a selection of winners from our annual Excellence Awards (p8). You can also read about our patient Pam’s recovery from surgery earlier this year just on time to collect her own very special award (p6). I was also surprised to be given an award myself recently, as Private Healthcare Leader in the Health Investor’s Power 50 awards.
Also in this issue we celebrate the long-awaited official opening of our new Birmingham hospital, where we welcomed everyone’s favourite TV doctor, Dr Hilary Jones. Dr Hilary spoke beautifully on the day about the warm welcome only small and medium hospitals can extend and how well teams in hospitals of our size work together – where everyone knows each other’s name (p9).
Opening a new hospital is part of our commitment to unlocking access to healthcare for more people. This is also true of our peri-operative pathway review (p5) which explains our plans to widen the eligibility criteria for patients who want to come to us, and also the new services we’re now offering such as bariatric surgery. Mr Peter Vasas from our Barlborough hospital talks us through why, despite all the hype around ‘diet drug’ Ozempic, there is still a place for weight loss surgery (p14).
I hope you enjoy this issue,
Jim Easton Chief Executive
AWARDED FOR HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS
“This accolade is a testament to our incredible team for their dedication and expertise…”
– Adrian Peake, Director of Operations at Practice Plus Group
We’re celebrating after being recognised in this year’s National Joint Registry (NJR) Data Provider Awards for demonstrating consistently high patient safety standards for our joint replacement surgeries.
Our hospitals picked up Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for the quality of the data submitted to the national registry.
As our hospitals are specialist providers of orthopaedic surgery, we complete a large volume of joint replacements every year for both NHS and private patients – most commonly hip and knee replacements. We have successfully completed a rigorous quality data audit for the NJR to demonstrate ‘best practice’ and ensure the very best in patient outcomes.
Adrian Peake, Director of Operations at Practice Plus Group, said: “This accolade is a testament to our incredible team for their dedication and expertise in orthopaedic procedures, and to our patients for trusting us with their joint replacements. At our hospitals, patient safety is always our top priority, and this award is a reflection of our commitment to providing exceptional care for every patient.”
Gold-winning Barlborough
MP visits Emersons Green Extending our welcome
We’re delighted to announce that we are reviewing the whole patient pathway from consultation into surgery and recovery, to help more patients access the treatment and care they need.
There are seven initial themes, including committing to detect anaemia at the earliest opportunity so we can start patients on iron infusions and help them get fit for surgery as soon as possible,
Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green, were delighted to welcome Claire Hazelgrove MP recently to discuss how the NHS can use spare capacity in independent hospitals to help reduce waiting lists.
Hospital Director Andrew Oakerbee and team also talked Claire through the great work they’re doing in offering apprenticeships and student placements for medical trainees, helping to train the next generation of nurses, radiographers, and consultants!
Andrew said: “Claire was a breath of fresh air and was very engaged. We were proud to show off our modern hospital and to offer our solutions to help unlock access so more patients can get the treatment they need.”
Claire Hazelgrove MP at our Emersons Green hospital
launching a ‘joint school’ (see story on page 7), and reinforcing our clinical guidelines and patient information on the importance of avoiding skin cuts and lesions that can cause last-minute cancellations.
There are far-reaching benefits for our patients, staff, organisation and the wider healthcare network, including ensuring patients are ready and well-prepared for their surgery mentally and physically, supporting recovery through wellmanaged discharge and aftercare, and supporting the wider healthcare system by being able to deliver more care and take the pressure off the NHS.
We’ll share more updates in due course. If you are considering booking surgery with us, NHS patients can ask their GP for a referral and those interested in Wellsoon private healthcare, can call 03330 606 294.
HIP REPLACEMENT HITS THE RIGHT NOTE FOR PAM!
Isle of Wight resident and music composer Pam Wedgwood was delighted to collect a lifetime achievement award at the Royal Albert Hall recently after recovering from hip and knee replacements at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton.
Pam is recognised around the world as one of the UK’s most prolific and successful composers of popular repertoire for young and old instrumentalists. The award formed
“Surgery went really smoothly and I was so pleased with the outcome I later booked in my knee replacement.”
part of the 2024 Star Prize Festival which celebrates young pianists from around the world.
But it was touch and go whether she’d make it.
Pam says: “I’d been struggling with joint pain for years, getting lots of aches and pains in my knee and hips. After seeing my doctor, he advised a knee x-ray, but told me that that the waiting list for surgery was over 18 months on the Isle of Wight. I really didn’t want to wait that long. I have my music career where I travel around the UK occasionally, and I also enjoy an annual trip to Queensland to visit my son, and it would mean I’d miss out on seeing everyone if I couldn’t continue to travel.
“I spoke to a friend who said she had heard of a self-pay service called Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group and I knew they had a hospital across the water in Southampton. I decided to cash in some savings and popped over on the Red Jet to see the consultant, Mr Khan, to assess if I could have an
op sooner than at my local hospital. He was really sympathetic as I explained my aches and pains and decided to send me for an x-ray on my knee and also my hips, just to be really thorough and get to the root of my joint problems. When the x-ray came back, he said that my hip was completely worn out and would need replacing first.
“Surgery went really smoothly and I was so pleased with the outcome I later booked in my knee replacement.
“The event has really aided my recovery and given me a great goal to work towards. My surgeon Mr Khan reassured me that I’d recover in time. I used to run a lot and I guess my body took a lot of wear and tear. In those days, we didn’t have such good running shoes and probably ran on roads more than grass, which maybe took its toll.
“It was wonderful to be able to collect the award in person with my son there to support me after he had flown all the way from Australia for the event.”
VIRTUAL JOINT SCHOOL IS LIVE!
We are delighted to launch our virtual joint school.
Joint school is a service offered to people who are waiting to have their hip or knee replacement to help them prepare for surgery and to increase the chance of recovering as quickly as possible. It can also help reduce delays and last minute cancellations by ensuring patients are fit for surgery.
Our Plymouth hospital has launched an in-person joint school led by a team of physiotherapists and nurses which takes place for both NHS and private patients every week.
We have also created a series of short videos that make up a virtual joint school, which is relevant and helpful for patients coming to any Practice Plus Group location for a joint replacement and can be watched from the comfort of your own home.
In the series, patients hear from surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists offering advice to help them prepare for surgery. Topics include how to prepare at home, stopping smoking and drinking, and why exercise before surgery is important.
Dr Shen Tisdale, Medical Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Plymouth, says: “There’s really good evidence to show the small steps that patients can take in the time before, during and after their surgery can help them to recover faster and get back to their activities of daily life as quickly as possible.
These interventions can reduce the likelihood of complications by 50%. So although these are small steps individually, overall they can have a really big impact.”
ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR OUR PATIENTS!
Our annual Practice Plus Group Excellence Awards, open to all staff, took place in November at a glittering ceremony at The Landmark London. Winners were presented their trophies by members of the executive team and guest host, Jayde Adams. Well done to all our finalists and congratulations to our deserving winners!
WE’RE OPEN IN THE HEART OF ENGLAND!
Our newest hospital was officially opened in the autumn at a launch celebration with guest of honour Dr Hilary Jones MBE, celebrity GP and Health Advisor best known for his ITV appearances.
In line with the rest of our hospitals, the new hospital will unlock access to excellent healthcare for both NHS and private patients. Those choosing our private service, Wellsoon, are being seen for outpatient consultations and diagnostic X-rays, with theatres due to start operating in January.
NHS patients can ask their GP for a referral and come to our Birmingham hospital as an NHS patient. As we just opened to NHS patients, there is currently no waiting list!
The hospital, previously known locally as The Edgbaston Hospital, has undergone a £10 million transformation with a brand new reception, pharmacy, wards, X-ray suite and state-of-the-art theatres.
Practice Plus Group’s hospitals and surgical centres around the country help the NHS by welcoming patients in need of some of the most in demand procedures with the longest waiting lists, such as orthopaedic surgery, endoscopy and cataract removal.
Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, expects to complete up to 8,000 procedures a year when it’s at full capacity.
“Fast access to surgery, if this is what you need, will help you regain your mobility, your fitness and quality of life.”
– Dr Hilary Jones MBE
This will be welcome news to people in the region. According to NHS England data, over 500,000 people are waiting for hospital appointments in the West Midlands, with 20,000 people waiting for more than 52 weeks.
Dr Hilary Jones MBE said: “I know from my own hip replacement surgery that these ‘routine’ and ‘non-urgent’ operations are truly life-changing. Living with pain and not being able to do the things you love is exhausting and debilitating. Fast access to surgery, if this is what you need, will help you regain your mobility, your fitness and quality of life.”
Jim Easton, CEO of Practice Plus Group, said: “It’s highly unusual, especially in the current climate, to have zero NHS waiting lists and we’re excited to welcome as many people as possible. We are delighted to bring what we do so well elsewhere around the country to the West Midlands.
“We have an incredible team of specialist consultants, nurses and healthcare professionals who bring with them a wealth of experience and we have invested heavily in transforming the site into a modern, welcoming hospital.”
Find out more:
Hospital Director, Samantha Doubleday and Dr Hilary Jones
Consultant Podiatric Surgeon Dr Mark Price
“We are delighted to bring what we do so well elsewhere around the country to the West Midlands.”
– Jim Easton, CEO of Practice Plus Group
Birmingham admin team
Pharmacy Manager, Meha Parmar
Reception team Jacqui Minogue, Amrit Owen, Maureen Neal
Su Green, Private Patients Services Manager
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN X-RAY DEPARTMENT
X-ray departments are key across all our services, helping patients get the answers they’re looking for so they can go on to get the treatment they need.
In Birmingham, our newly opened hospital has a brand new, state of the art X-ray department run by a team of highly skilled and experienced radiographers Semyna Begum, Imaging Manager, and radiographers Sahra Mohamed and Albert Calubaquib. Semyna describes what a typical day looks like and why they love their jobs…
What does being a radiographer involve?
As diagnostic radiographers our role entails generating high-quality diagnostic images to support patient diagnosis, treatment and recovery, all while ensuring excellent standards of patient care.
This includes X-ray at the moment, with ultrasound and MRI machines coming in 2025. We also work with the multidisciplinary team, alongside nurses and doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide patient-centred care and ensuring patient choice is built into the care given.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day begins with setting up and warming up the imaging equipment to ensure it’s operating efficiently and then we move on to reviewing patient lists for the day on our system called Maxims.
Semyna Begum
We can then begin performing routine X-ray images.
No two days are really the same, because we see a diverse range of patients from different backgrounds and cultures who all require different needs and care depending on their condition.
Once the patient has their X-ray scan, the images go straight onto our system where the consultants upstairs can review the images with the patient and discuss whether they require surgery or not and what the next steps are.
Sometimes the consultant will put an extra request through the system if they require different image views/positions for greater analysis.
How has the role of radiographer changed over the years?
The radiographer role has significantly changed with advancements in technology, specifically using digital radiography and modern imaging equipment which is now a lot more sophisticated. This offers greater detail and position of diagnostic images – so radiographers now require an even deeper understanding of technology. It’s massively helped the advancement of our work but is also a challenge for new radiographers.
What’s your favourite aspect of radiography?
This goes for all of our team –our favourite aspect is making a meaningful difference in the patient’s journey. One of the most fulfilling experiences is seeing patients before the surgery when they can often be in discomfort or distress and then looking forward to seeing their progress post-operation after a successful surgery. Knowing that the imaging we provide plays a critical role in their diagnosis and treatment is incredibly rewarding.
We see the journey from start to finish as we complete a post-op scan, and you can really see the benefits and difference it makes to patients’ lives and their overall health and wellbeing.
How are things progressing at Birmingham? What’s it like being in a new hospital?
Things are moving forward with a clear focus on enhancing the patient experience and care. We have already seen quite a number of patients and are excited about what the future holds for Birmingham.
Also, templating software has also been installed and this plays a crucial role for effective pre-surgical planning. It’s an exciting step forward, ensuring the best outcome for our patients before they go into surgery.
We’re a small team of three but things are nicely progressing and we expect to expand our team as we get busier.
What makes Practice Plus Group a great place to work?
It’s a very supportive environment with a strong sense of teamwork – this makes Practice Plus Group a great place to work. From leadership to the team dynamic, there’s a shared commitment to excellence in patient care. This creates a positive workplace culture and also the work/life balance is a lot different from previous companies we’ve worked for.
Practice Plus Group ensures that staff feel valued and supported, allowing us to then deliver our best every day while also maintaining our personal wellbeing.
Albert Calubaquib
EXPERT Q&A
Weighing up dieting options with consultant bariatric surgeon, Mr Peter Vasas.
Earlier this year, Practice Plus Group introduced bariatric surgery at our Barlborough hospital and will soon be treating patients in Emersons Green, Bristol, too. We spoke to Consultant Bariatric Surgeon, Mr Peter Vasas, about why, for some, surgery is the best long-term solution.
Q With weight loss injections like Ozempic available, is there still a need for surgery?
A Ozempic can be a good route to take if you need to lose a few stones, if you are prescribed it and follow the correct dosage. The medication has been around for many years to treat diabetes. But unless you change your diet and lifestyle, you will need to keep having the injections for the rest of your life to keep the weight off. For someone in their 40s, that can be another 20, 30, 40 years. That can be around £200 a month for many years, and although Ozempic uses a naturally occurring hormone, GLP-1, the longterm effects of the injections aren’t yet known and there is potentially an increased risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. You aren’t able to have Ozempic if you already have either of these conditions.
It can be a good way for someone to get a sense of what it’s like to lose weight before going on to have surgery as a better longterm solution, and for people whose BMI is so high, they need to lose weight before we can safely operate. If someone is 30 stone, for example, there may not be enough space around the stomach to operate and losing just two stone can make all the difference.
Q What’s your view of people travelling abroad for weight loss surgery?
A It’s unbelievable how many people are doing this. It can be unsafe and I have performed emergency surgery on people who have just flown home having had it done abroad. Even if you go to a good quality hospital, flying even a short distance with a fresh wound isn’t a good idea as there’s a risk of infection and even the stomach opening up. I think it’s good that the media is highlighting these issues now and people are realising it’s risky. I think a lot of people who do it regret it. If you have surgery in the UK you can have in person follow-up appointments which I think are very important.
Q Who would be a good candidate for weight loss surgery?
A Typically, people with a BMI between 35 and 45. Many of my patients are between 30 and 40 years old and have young children they can’t run around after. Maybe they gained weight in pregnancy and now their children are five or six and they can’t keep up. I also see grandparents who want to lose weight for similar reasons – keeping up with grandchildren and wanting to live a healthier life for as long as possible. It’s also an option for those with type two diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea. It should always be a last resort when someone has tried everything else to achieve sustained weight loss –reducing calorie intake, going to the gym, trying slimming shakes. If they fail at all of this, then they may need surgery.
Q What’s the difference between a gastric sleeve and a gastric bypass?
A Both procedures work on similar principles: reducing the volume of the stomach which restricts food intake so you can only eat small amounts, and increasing the amount of hormone GLP-1 which suppresses the appetite.
The sleeve removes part of the stomach, making it smaller and needing less food to feel full.
A gastric bypass is slightly more complex where surgery makes the gastric tract shorter meaning less is absorbed from the gut.
Q Is weight loss surgery still available on the NHS?
A Yes but it can be difficult to access depending on where you live and the wait can be many years.
To qualify for surgery on the NHS, you first need to complete at least a year of community-based approaches such as slimming clubs, followed by another year of a more intensive programme involving dietician assessments and cognitive behavioural therapy. In some areas, this isn’t available which means surgery isn’t an option because you have to complete the programme before you can be approved for surgery. Completing these programmes first is compulsory, but in some areas the programmes aren’t set up so people who live in those areas have no way of being recommended for surgery.
Q What can a patient expect from bariatric surgery at Practice Plus Group?
A I offer both gastric sleeve and bypass surgery. All patients are given a full pre-op assessment to consider their suitability for surgery. Following the treatment we provide a two-year, dietician led after-care programme so that patients are reassured they will be well looked after.
The hospital in Barlborough has a very good reputation and a fantastic team.
CONTACT US
Private treatment enquiries: Call 03330 606 294
Email privatepatient@ practiceplusgroup.com
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Share your story: Email ppgcomms@ practiceplusgroup.com
Previous Edition Crossword Answers
Across: 1 PROVERBS, 5 IF, 8 THE KISS, 9 GOA, 10 ARITHMETIC, 13 NOTTINGHAM, 17 PAU, 18 BLONDIE, 20 PI, 21 EXTERNAL.
Down: 1 PITT, 2 ORE, 3 ELIOT, 4 BESOM, 6 FRANCE, 7 AGATHA, 11 ROTGUT, 12 SNAP UP, 14 INBOX, 15 GOOSE, 16 KEEL, 19 DON.
Congratulations to Antonela Rosewarne, who won the latest prize.
CROSSWORD COMPETITION
Complete and send in the form below with your crossword to be entered into a prize draw and the chance to win a £50 John Lewis voucher. The closing date is 12th February 2025. Ts and Cs below.
Across
1 Tropical fruit (5)
4 Italian poet, author of The Divine Comedy (5)
8 Fraternity (11)
9 He flew too close to the sun (6)
10 Con, scam (4)
11 Inactive (4)
12 Declaration in fencing (6)
13 Place for looking at the night sky (11)
15 City in Israel (5)
16 South American mountain range (5) Down
2 Magic word (11)
3 Woody ___, US folk singer (7)
5 Deciduous tree (3)
6 Legendary gift from the Greeks (6,5)
7 Touchy (9)
10 Texas city (7)
14 One of Santa’s little helpers (3)
Winter 2024 Prize Crossword Entry Form
Fill in your details below and send your completed crossword to: Practice Plus Group Comms, Ground Floor, 1330 Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4SA
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