In for a day, not a stay - Day Surgery
In Swansea, a new £5.2 million day surgery unit is now carrying out procedures such as cataract removal, orthopaedic keyhole surgery and minor plastic surgery on a day case basis. It means patients don’t have to spend three or four days in hospital.
The average time patients spend in the unit is less than three hours. The unit is open 7am to 7pm and currently deals with around 200 patients per week.
Senior sister Susan Williams says:
"With this purpose-built unit the theatres are right here and patients can just walk in. Many of the procedures, like minor hand surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, can take just 30 minutes. But the difference it makes to patients' lives is remarkable."
.