Today marks a new chapter in the independent UK healthcare industry for joint replacement care, with the launch of the Fortius Joint Replacement Centre (FJRC) at Bupa Cromwell Hospital.
Fortius Clinic and Bupa have announced the first-of-its-kind partnership, with the official opening of the centre, which will provide hip and knee replacements using the latest ground-breaking robotic technology.
The cutting-edge MAKO robotic technology from Stryker enables highly-accurate placement of personalised knee or hip implants, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times.
The latest evidence-based critical care pathways available at the new clinic aim to accelerate and improve all aspects of a patient’s recovery process following their surgery, and will also be a central part of patient treatment plans.
As a nation of active elders, demand for joint replacement treatment continues to grow, and healthcare leaders argue the industry needs to standardise care to ensure excellence and best practice for patients.
The future in joint replacement treatment is in the accuracy of implant alignment with the latest robotic technology to enhance accuracy
All patients seen at the FJRC will follow the same standardised Enhanced Recovery Pathway, which is a programme that ensures improved outcomes for patients by accelerating and improving all aspects of a patient’s recovery process following surgery.
This pathway combines a proven approach to pain management, clinical and surgical practice, patient education, mobility, and lifestyle, all of which help to achieve optimal outcomes.
At the launch event, Andy Williams, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and one of Fortius Clinic’s Founding Surgeons, said: “The future of joint replacement surgery must focus on ensuring consistent outcomes - in recovery, performance and longevity.
“There is a wide variability of surgery outcomes and complication rates in current orthopaedic practice. This is why we need to shift our focus to further training on using new technologies within the field to improve patient outcomes.
“The use of robotic technology is changing the face of joint replacements.
“The MAKO robot drives up the benchmark across the sector and ensures all patients have a consistent, high standard of care.
“Treatment with modern knee replacements are reliable and carry little variability when implanted correctly, but the performance does not compare to that of a patient’s normal knee.
"The future in joint replacement treatment is in the accuracy of implant alignment with the latest robotic technology to enhance accuracy. This is beneficial, not just for patients, but for improving opportunities for clinicians in furthering their capabilities.”
Jim McAvoy, chief executive of the Fortius Clinic, added: “In joining forces with Bupa Cromwell Hospital we believe the Fortius Joint Replacement Centre will become the centre of choice for patients.
“The dedicated joint replacement centre offers a first-class patient experience which includes care by high-calibre clinicians, a service that is responsive to patient needs, and one that utilises technologies and techniques that improve outcomes.”
The clinic will be open to insurance and self-paying patients.