Fast-track weekend emergency kidney op for Black Country and Wolverhampton patients
Patients across the Black Country and Wolverhampton are receiving fast-track emergency kidney operations over weekends and bank holidays thanks to specialists in four larger hospitals working a joint rota system.
Patient Patricia Franks
Patients who need a nephrostomy to drain excess urine from a kidney caused by a blockage now don’t have to wait until the following week for their urgent procedure.
The new out-of-hours service, run by teams of interventional radiologists and urologists working together, is improving healthcare for many patients.
Walsall grandmother Patricia Franks, aged 54, was taken by ambulance to Russells Hall Hospital from Manor Hospital to have her procedure on a Sunday evening two months ago.
“They did a fantastic job and I didn’t mind travelling because they were able to do it straight away so I didn’t have to wait,” said Patricia, who is now recovering at home.
“I’ve suffered with my kidneys for 30 years; I had kidney stones to start with and I was in terrible pain,” she added.
“I can’t fault the staff at Russells Hall Hospital. They are lovely people and the consultant was very nice.”
The joint working has come about because The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and Walsall Healthcare Trust have formed the Black Country Alliance and are working in partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust on the fast-track nephrostomy procedures.
The Dudley Group’s acting chief executive Dr Paul Harrison said the four trusts are collaborating to think of innovative ways of working to provide the best care for patients.
“Our aim is to develop centres of excellence and keep specialists services in the local area. This means patients won’t have to travel further afield to larger hospital trusts and can have their procedures closer to home,” said Dr Harrison.
