A STOCKPORT hospital team working to help patients recover sooner after surgery have been shortlisted for a national patient safety award.
The ERAS + (for 'Enhanced Recovery After Surgery') team at Stepping Hill Hospital have been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal Patient Safety Awards in the 'Perioperative and Surgical Care' category.
ERAS + sees surgical medical, nursing and physiotherapy staff working together to ensure the patient is in the best physical shape possible both before and after major abdominal surgery.
As well as encouraging more physical activity before and after their operation, the programme encourages lifestyle modifications such as smoking, alcohol and nutrition advice, together with more specialised steps such as muscle strengthening, oral hygiene and breathing exercises.
A number of patients have already benefitted by recovering more quickly and going home sooner.
Other patients are also referred for a pre and postoperative exercise program provided by local sport and fitness service Life Leisure.
The programme was initially developed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and championed by Dr John Moore, consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine.
MFT has secured further funding through a Health Foundation Grant to roll this improvement programme out across Greater Manchester as part of the Healthier Together implementation work.
Colin Wasson, medical director for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: "ERAS+ is a fantastic project which is having a really positive impact on improving patient recovery, and I'm delighted our team have been recognised for their hard work at the HSJ Patient Safety Awards."
The Patient Safety Awards recognise, reward and thank the hard-working health teams and individuals who improve patient safety across the country. The winners will be announced in Manchester on July 2.