A revolutionary trial has meant no planned orthopaedic surgery at Grantham Hospital has had to be cancelled due to bed pressures in almost a year.

Patients needing orthopaedic surgery are being seen quicker and going home sooner thanks to the revolutionary trial at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) hospitals.

Now almost one year on, the trail aimed at reducing cancellations, waiting times and the amount of time patients spend in hospital is proving a success and improving patient experience.

The service at ULHT treats those with injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system, that's bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.

The trauma and orthopaedic 'hot and cold' site trial saw an introduction of 'hot' sites where trauma - emergency/unplanned - orthopaedic surgery is carried out and 'cold' sites where elective and planned orthopaedic surgery takes place.

This means that the majority of patients requiring urgent treatment for trauma - broken bones and soft tissue injuries - would go to Lincoln or Boston, with some of this care given at Grantham Hospital.

Those needing elective orthopaedic surgery would go to Grantham Hospital if they required an overnight stay as an inpatient, or Louth if they were able to go home on the same day.

ULHT is one of just eight trusts in the country to have trialled the 'hot' and 'cold' split so far and were initiated by Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT), a national clinical improvement programme working with NHS trusts to tackle unwarranted variation in the way services are delivered.

Led by consultant orthopaedic surgeon Professor Tim Briggs, GIRFT recommends separating emergency and elective orthopaedic surgery onto different sites to reduce length of stay, improve infection rates and free up emergency beds.

Mark Brassington, Chief Operating Officer at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Taking part in this trial has massively improved the service for our patients.

"Before the trial, busy periods leading to bed pressures in our hospitals meant that around 900 patients each year had their elective orthopaedic surgery cancelled.

"This wasn't good enough for our patients and we needed to take action.

"Since the trial began, the majority of elective patients have been treated at Grantham Hospital and not a single one of them have had their surgery cancelled due to bed pressures - an incredible improvement."

In addition to the move to 'hot' and 'cold' sites, a dedicated ward was opened at Grantham Hospital so that all patients requiring an overnight stay following their surgery have a bed ready for their recovery.

Mr Brassington added: "I would encourage anyone needing orthopaedic treatment to consider coming to ULHT so they can benefit from our improved service."