Mr Kosuge wishes you a belated Happy New Year - it has been an extremely challenging start to 2021 due to the rising COVID-19 incidence regionally, as well as nationally. The incidence of COVID-19 is projected to increase further, with peak numbers from this week onwards to the end of this month.

All routine orthopaedic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital have been suspended due to the effects of COVID-19 and for mobilising resources - all routine orthopaedic operations and orthopaedic out-patient clinics have been suspended. Emergency trauma & orthopaedic services continue to be operational via the Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit. Members of the Trauma & Orthopaedic department have offered help to our Emergency Department, Physicians and Intensive Care colleagues.

Rivers Hospital are still providing out-patient services and operating lists, as well as continuing to support the NHS, This situation is fluid and these services are likely to be affected. For further information, please click here.

Mr Kosuge is hopeful that with the combination of strict adherence to the guidance under the third national lockdown, the national vaccination programme, and us getting through the additional winter pressures placed on the NHS, the incidence of COVID-19 will reduce and routine services have a chance of resuming. As soon as it is appropriate, Mr Kosuge will work with The Princess Alexandra Hospital to re-establish routine services on-site but alternative solutions are also being explored.

There was positive news recently in that the third vaccination was approved for use by the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA):

For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, please click here.

Mr Kosuge would like to re-iterate our Chief Medical Officer’s message. Please stay safe all.

COVID-19Dennis Kosuge10 January 2021hip surgeon, knee surgeon

COVID-19 second wave - effects on elective surgical activity at The Princess Alexandra Hospital

The increasing rates of COVID-19 due to the second wave has led to increasing patient admissions into The Princess Alexandra Hospital. Due to the loss of resources as a direct result of this, and along with the increasing ‘winter pressures’, it has affected our ability to provide routine elective surgery. The trust is reviewing the situation on a weekly basis but for the past three weeks, no elective in-patient orthopaedic surgery has taken place. Day surgery operations are still being performed on a selective basis. Please be aware that all emergency operations (e.g. fractures, infected joints) are still being performed.

Mr Kosuge is working with the hospital to look at ways to re-establish elective in-patient operating in a manner that meets the safety criteria required. It has been a challenge with regional COVID-19 rates increasing rather than falling. Rates of COVID-19 in many areas of Essex are now higher than the national average - e.g. Harlow 234.3 per 100 000 and England 156.2 per 100 000 in the week to 6th December 2020.

It was reassuring to see the COVID-19 vaccination programme roll-out last week. However, Mr Kosuge advises you to continue to remain vigilant and to adhere to the government rules pertaining to COVID-19. The NHS has published information about the vaccine.

The British Orthopaedic Association published their latest statement regarding elective activity, waiting lists and restarting. For patients waiting for a hip or knee replacement, please visit Joint School for helpful information, exercises and tools to help.

Source: Gov.uk

COVID-19Dennis Kosuge13 December 2020hip surgeon, knee surgeon