The waiting game - how patient information can impact people's experiences on a hip or knee surgery waiting list

Healthwatch North Somerset undertook this research off the back of feedback from older residents in the area about a lack of information and resources available to give patients support whilst waiting for hip or knee surgery. To explore this, Healthwatch North Somerset created a survey, drawing on the input of a steering group of seven people waiting for a hip or knee replacement.

The survey ran through March 2024 and received 74 responses.

• 29% said they were given no information whilst waiting.
• 42% said information was given about self-help at their pre-operation appointment
• 64% received no communication about their expected surgery waiting time from either their GP or the hospital.
• 53% of respondents felt able to access information online or via an app.
• 15% felt they would have liked more information about pain relief during their wait.

The report has six primary recommendations.

• Have an agreed shared protocol used by hospitals and GP practices to set standards on communication while waiting
• Primary/secondary services to established procedure for responding to service user needs
• Hospital trusts to provide consistent preoperative care information
• Health service providers to ensure that information is given with the options for easy read, large print and translations as required
• Maintain an accessible evaluation of the Getting it Right First Time implementation
• Gp surgeries to provide appropriate condition based referrals to evidence-based sessional exercise support.

The report contains a detailed response from the provider, including specific responses to each recommendation.