Horton hip fracture team one of country's best - for the seventh year running

The hip fracture team at the Horton General Hospital, Banbury unit has been named one of the best in the country for the seventh year running.

The hospital, part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, met all of its best practice criteria in nearly 90 percent of patients, while the average nationally is 58 percent.

The latest figures were published in the 2019 National Hip Fracture Audit, which compares the performance of 175 hospitals in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The national report shows that over 90 percent of patients admitted to the Horton General Hospital underwent surgery either on the same day or the day after, significantly surpassing the national average of 69 percent.

It also showed that: 99.5 per cent of patients received a physiotherapist assessment the day after surgery; 99 per cent of patients received a falls assessment and nearly 98 per cent of patients didn’t develop pressure ulcers during their hospital stay

Dr Bruno Holthof, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, received a letter from NHS England and Improvement congratulating the team on being among the best in the country.

Dr Angela Kannan, Clinical Lead for the Horton Trauma team, said: "We always look forward to this annual review of our hip fracture services at the Horton. This year's results go to show the expertise and commitment of all our team, who are consistently providing excellent treatment all the way through arrival at the Emergency Department through to surgery and ward care.

"Hip fractures are very common - there were nearly over 66,300 in the UK last year, and they're often suffered by elderly or frail people who need rapid care. We're really pleased we can help them in such an efficient and effective way."

Dr Jon Westbrook, Divisional Director of Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Trauma and Specialist Surgery and Children's, said: "Once again, we're very proud of the work our Trauma team at the Horton undertakes for these patients, who benefit from such rapid and expert surgery. These results are testament to the commitment, care and compassion shown by the entire team."

* Statistics show that in October 2019, the Horton had 20 patients, waiting an average of 20.2 hours for their operation - against a national average of 33.6 hours.

Statistics for the same month at the John Radcliffe Hospital shows 35 patients waiting an average of 33.6 hours - the national average. At Northampton General Hospital there were 26 hip fracture patients waiting an average 32.1 hours for their operations and at Warwick Hospital there were 35 patients who waited an average of 24.5 hours for their operations.