The Theatres service at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is being transformed to create more sustainable and efficient ways of working across the Bay for the future.
We want our patients to share ideas and help us to transform the Theatres service at the Trust. Here you can find out more about the Transformation work, Patient Charter and how you can get involved.
We are working to modernise our Theatres as part of a transformation programme called Build a Better Bay. The focus of the Theatres transformation work is to bring maximum benefits in terms of better treatment for patients, enhanced staff experience, reduced waits for treatment, greater efficiency and long-term financial sustainability.
The Patient Charter - Are you set for surgery? - has been developed through consultation with more than 1,000 previous patients, local Healthwatch partners in South Cumbria and in Lancashire, as well as key surgical and anaesthetic colleagues at the Trust and GP practices across Morecambe Bay.
The Patient Charter is a two-way deal between the patient and the Trust. Any patients considered for surgery will be asked by their GP to sign up to the charter prior to their surgery. The Patient Charter will:
- offer patients resources to help them to be maximally fit for surgery
- help patients to make the decision as to whether surgery is the right option for them at that time
- offer patients the opportunity to consider alternative treatments like physiotherapy or pain management that would be more suitable for their condition.
By signing up to the Patient Charter, the Trust will strive to provide the very best care in the right setting and at the right time for the patient. At no previous time, has it been so important for us to make best use of resources.
The Patient Charter - Are you set for surgery? - will offer patients resources to help them to be maximally fit for surgery.
Mum-of-three Mel Bunting, from Garstang, recently had surgery to treat breast cancer. She describes how she sought to improve her health before surgery:
“I did it for my kids. When I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, it was a massive shock to us all. I am a mum to three young children who needed me fit and well. I knew I had a mountain to climb in terms of treatment and that surgery was the first part I had to conquer. It felt like I had lost control of my health, and then, I realised there were some things I could continue to do and some things I could do more of, in order to prepare my body for what it was going to have to endure. I was able to take back some positive control.
“In the run-up to my surgery date, time seemed to slow down, but going for daily walks really helped me manage my stress from the waiting, and the target I set myself of hitting 10,000 steps each day gave me a little challenge to keep my focus.
"Eating more fruit and veg and cutting out alcohol also felt like a sensible way for me to ensure I was fully fuelled and doing everything I could to reduce risks and speed up recovery time, meaning I could be back home with my family as soon as possible.
“The "Set for Surgery" initiative wasn't live when I was preparing for my surgery, but I certainly would have welcomed it. Having support is so very important and I firmly believe that having been able to positively contribute to my health needs prior to surgery helped me recover quicker and taking control in terms of my overall health also gave me the strength and determination to get well. I'd urge other patients who are preparing for surgery to grab hold of this offer of support and go for it – get set for your surgery!”
Healthwatch Lancashire has backed the Patient Charter, which it feels will benefit patients.
Sue Stevenson, Chief Operating Officer, said: "Healthwatch has been an advocate for strong relationships based on trust between patients and the health and care professionals who support and look after them for a long time. We’ve talked about working better together to develop a better understanding of how we can look after ourselves so that the time and resource provided to make us better when we are sick are put to the very best use especially when there are so many demands on that expertise.
"The pandemic has highlighted just how fragile that resource and expertise can be when many demands are made on a system that also needs to be looked after itself.
"This is why the development of the Patient Charter has come at just the right time. The idea is not entirely new, but it seems that there are many more people willing and able to take good care of themselves and perhaps make some lifestyle changes so that when they need a medical or surgical intervention it is much more likely to have a great result. Sometimes being signposted to someone for advice and support is just what is needed to provide the motivation and drive to make healthy changes. It’s simple but can be really effective."
The 'Walk with a doc' initiative is a health programme that aims to encourage local residents to improve their health and wellbeing.
The programme consists of a walk which will last about one hour and starts with a health talk, it is open to the whole community and the route is accessible for all. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. Walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with healthcare professionals who can provide support and answer questions about exercise and nutrition during the walk.
See times and dates for the Morecambe Walk with a Doc programme.
See times and dates for the Lancaster Walk with a Doc programme.
Share your feedback
If you have had surgery at the Trust, we would love to hear about your experience. Please send your feedback to surgery.feedback@mbht.nhs.uk