Published on: 8 March 2023

You may know that we are supporting a region-wide campaign called the 'Waiting Well' programme. This is to help patients prepare for their surgery by staying fit and well.

At the end of last year we ran our first pilot in South Tyneside. This was to support a small group of patients waiting for orthopaedic surgery (joints and bones). 29 patients were invited to attend a six week programme. 5 of those patients attended. The programme was delivered by Social Prescribing Team, First Contact Clinical. It included sessions on:

· What to expect before, during and after your hospital stay

· Healthy eating to lose or gain weight

· Health and wellbeing

· The effects of smoking and alcohol

· Managing other health conditions

The patients enjoyed the sessions and said it helped them feel prepared for surgery. They also gave us feedback which will help develop further programmes.

We are about to start our second pilot in South Tyneside next week. A further programme in Sunderland will follow in the next two to three weeks.

All patients on the programme are contacted by letter. This is followed up with a phone call from our social prescribing teams to talk about their general health and wellbeing.

Some patients may be worried or anxious about this communication. They may not believe that it is from the NHS. We are providing this information so you can help to reassure them that this is a genuine support.

It's important that we support our most vulnerable patients who are waiting for surgery to prepare the best they can. This can be through small lifestyle changes or by accessing other services and offers. We hope that with this support they can make long term changes that help them long after their surgery.

This work is part of a larger project led by the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Further information about the programme and how it is being rolled out across the region will follow in the coming months.

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