Latest news with #UniversityHospitalsDorset
Daily Mail
8 minutes ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts pinpoint best gym class for people with common hip problem: 'It's better than physiotherapy'
A new study has revealed weekly group spin classes could be more effective than physiotherapy for people with a common hip problem. Hip osteoarthritis—which happens when the cartilage in the hip breaks down, causing pain and stiffness—affects nearly 3.2 million Britons. Spin classes could be more cost-effective for the NHS and could help tackle waiting times for physiotherapy, according to researchers. Experts from Bournemouth University and the University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) conducted a trial involving 211 participants. Half of the participants received traditional physiotherapy care, while the rest did an eight-week exercise and education programme known as Chain (cycling against hip pain). The Chain group attended weekly education sessions from a physiotherapist, lasting around 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute session of static cycling led by a gym instructor. The researchers found those who completed the cycling classes had a 'statistically significant improvement in patient-reported function after treatment'. The effects of treatment on patients were measured by the Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) activities of daily living (ADL) subscale, which assesses how affect various daily activities. Their findings of the study were recently published in The Lancet Rheumatology. Researchers said the method 'showed superior outcomes compared with usual physiotherapy care, and the feasibility of delivering a low-cost, community-based intervention within the NHS was shown'. However, they stress the 'longer-term benefits and broader generalisability warrant further investigation'. It comes amid immense pressures on the NHS, with waiting lists in June spiralling to an all-time high. Some 1,361 patients in England had been waiting more than 18 months to start routine treatment at the end of April, up from 1,164 in March. And 9,258 patients had been waiting more than 14 months to start treatment, up from 7,381 the previous month. In total, 190,068 people in England had been waiting more than a year for specialist treatment for conditions like arthritis and reproductive problems, as well as common operations like hysterectomies. Tom Wainwright, a professor of orthopaedics at Bournemouth University and a physiotherapist at UHD, said: 'For the time it takes to treat one patient using standard physiotherapy, we can treat multiple patients in a group session and provide them with better outcomes. 'This has proved to be more cost-effective than standard treatment and so we hope this will contribute to reducing NHS waiting times for physiotherapy treatment in the future.' Professor Rob Middleton, of Bournemouth University and an orthopaedic surgeon at UHD, added: 'Hip replacements cost the NHS over £6,000 per patient, so avoiding surgery for hip problems reduces the burden on the NHS, saves money, and provides better outcomes for patients. 'Now with this new study we can also see the potential for static cycling to save further money for the NHS by bringing down waiting lists for physiotherapy.' Meanwhile Dr Peter Wilson, chief medical officer at UHD, said: 'We are an ageing population and increasingly we are seeing more patients with osteoarthritis that need either surgery or physiotherapy. 'Finding alternative ways to treat these patients could help reduce waiting times and the financial demand on NHS services.' The Chain intervention was first launched in 2013 and patients who wish to take part are referred to UHD from their GP. To bolster access on a national level, experts from Bournemouth University have developed a virtual course on their education app, allowing people to follow the programme from their home or local gym.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Weekly spin classes may be more effective and affordable than physiotherapy, study finds
New research indicates that weekly group spin classes may be more beneficial and cost-effective than standard physiotherapy for individuals with hip osteoarthritis. A study published in The Lancet Rheumatology involved 211 participants, comparing an eight-week cycling and education program, known as Chain, with usual physiotherapy care. The Chain program participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in patient-reported function compared to those receiving standard physiotherapy. Experts from Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset suggest this method could reduce NHS waiting times for physiotherapy and alleviate financial pressure. While the Chain intervention has been available since 2013, researchers emphasize that longer-term benefits and broader generalizability warrant further investigation.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer care staff to receive compassion fatigue resilience training
Cancer care staff at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) will receive compassion fatigue resilience training. The initiative, funded by a grant from the Blue Light Card Foundation, aims to support the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of NHS staff. The intense nature of cancer care, involving patient distress, high-pressure environments and difficult discussions, can lead to compassion fatigue. This state of exhaustion endangers the health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals and compromises care quality. The training aims to help UHD cancer care staff recognise early signs of compassion fatigue. They will learn effective coping strategies to protect their emotional and mental health. Jo Valentine, UHD cancer nurse specialist lead, said: "It's so important that specialist nurses and healthcare professionals working in cancer care access this type of training because they often experience constant exposure to patients going through life-changing diagnoses, treatment, the effects of treatment, and ongoing care and regularly deal with breaking bad news. "By providing this training to staff, members of our team will be able to recognise symptoms, develop effective coping strategies and help sustain emotional and mental wellbeing. "Plus, patients will benefit from having a more emotionally balanced and engaged workforce. "Investing in staff wellbeing is one of our Trust's core values and helps build stronger teams where staff feel valued and supported." The cost of this training is £7,372, which will be covered by the Blue Light Card Foundation. Karen Smith, senior charity manager at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, said: "We are so incredibly grateful for the support to fund this vital compassion fatigue training. "This is one of the most meaningful projects I've had the privilege to be part of." Emma Woods-Bolger, chief executive of the Blue Light Card Foundation, said: "We're proud to support this initiative from University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, which speaks to the heart of why the Foundation exists. "Cancer care professionals give so much of themselves, often at great personal cost. "This project provides space and skills to help them care for themselves too because protecting their wellbeing is essential to protecting the quality of care they offer others."
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mixed ratings for surgery at Bournemouth and Poole hospitals
Surgical departments at two hospitals run by the same NHS trust have received mixed reviews from Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it revisited Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital in January due to previous said Bournemouth "required improvement" due to safety and leadership issues, but Poole achieved a "good" Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust said it had addressed a number of concerns and was proud of its "skilled" and "caring" staff. The CQC reports said operations at the two sites were frequently cancelled due to a lack of staff, beds or January, 234 patients had surgery cancelled on the day of the 57% of patients had to wait more than 18 weeks to be seen and treated, according to figures from the NHS trust. Bournemouth's surgical department was rated "good" for being effective, caring and there had been "near misses relating to equipment not always being available" and "frequent oxygen cylinder shortages on wards".Inspectors also reported "cluttered corridors" and out-of-date equipment including a throat tube introducer that expired in April CQC concluded: "The high number of issues showed a lack of senior leadership oversight."Poole Hospital was found to have improved since its last report in 2023, when inspectors found safety CQC said internationally-educated nurses had been successfully introduced at both sites to reduce staff NHS trust's chief executive Siobhan Harrington said: "I am very proud that the CQC reports highlight that colleagues across our surgical services are skilled, capable and passionate about providing the best possible care. "Patients also told the CQC that they were treated with kindness and warmth, even when our services were busy."The CQC shared with us where improvements were needed and we immediately addressed a number of concerns." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Record-breaking amount raised at Bournemouth seafront march
The March for Men event raised an impressive £29,273 for prostate cancer support. University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity hosted the event along Bournemouth seafront, with a record-breaking turnout of more than 317 participants. The walkers, joggers, and runners came together to raise funds for those affected by prostate cancer. The money will be used to improve patient care and purchase state-of-the-art equipment at University Hospitals Dorset. Kevin Turner, consultant urological surgeon for University Hospitals Dorset's department of urology, said: "It was so powerful to witness such an extraordinary display of support for our prostate cancer services at March for Men this year. "It was particularly impactful to see participants taking part because they had a personal connection to the cause – whether they were walking, or running, for themselves, beside family or in heartfelt remembrance of loved ones." READ MORE: Magna Care Centre holds spring fair for Forest Holme Hospice Funds to aid patient care and equipment at local NHS hospitals (Image: UHD) He added: "Thank you so much to everyone for your support for March for Men this year. "You illustrated how strong our community is when we come together to support prostate cancer patients and their families." This year's March for Men sponsors, Spetisbury Construction Limited and Oak Business Services Limited, also attended the event. Justin Ives, managing director of Spetisbury Construction Limited, said: "We had quite a few of our team turning up and taking part and supporting March for Men by either walking or running the 5 or 10km. SEE MORE: Bournemouth family raise more than £10,000 for charity History made with every step March for Men draws record-breaking crowd and raises over £29,200 for prostate cancer patients (Image: UHD) "We all had a great morning; it truly was a great event on our lovely beach and it was sunny. "Most importantly, everyone raised a significant amount of money for the charity, well done University Hospitals Dorset and thanks for inviting us to be a small part of this." Glenn Prowles, director of Oak Business Services Limited, said: "We're proud to be part of the fantastic March for Men event once again. "Supporting our local NHS hospitals means a great deal to us and we're honoured to play a role in helping them go above and beyond for this event." The charity expressed its gratitude to everyone who participated, including those from Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the surrounding areas, for their commitment to the cause.
