Somerset’s two smaller NHS community hospitals, Minehead and West Mendip, have announced plans to expand their surgical services, providing more patients with access to local operations. While larger hospitals like Musgrove Park and Yeovil handle hundreds of surgeries daily, these smaller hospitals play a crucial role in offering day surgeries under local anaesthetic.
Expanding Services at Minehead and West Mendip Hospitals
Both Minehead and West Mendip hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art operating theatres, allowing them to perform a range of minor surgeries. The hospitals currently operate up to five days a week, with plans to further increase capacity.
Tessa Sanford, manager of Minehead Hospital’s theatre suite, expressed her pride in leading a close-knit team dedicated to offering high-quality care to local patients. She highlighted the importance of their growing workforce, including retired healthcare professionals returning to work and student nurses in training.
“We are a very small team, and given our remote location, we rely heavily on retired colleagues returning on staff bank. We also have a student nurse in training, and education is something we’re keen to promote here.”
Surgical Procedures Offered Locally
Due to the lack of general anaesthetic facilities, only local anaesthetic procedures can be performed at these hospitals. However, the list of available surgeries is expanding, helping reduce pressure on major hospitals like Musgrove Park. Currently, the hospitals offer:
- Dermatology procedures
- Maxillofacial surgery (for skin-related conditions)
- Urology screening
- Podiatric surgery (foot and ankle procedures)
- Ocular plastic surgery
- Hand surgery (with plans to expand this service further)
A Community-Centred Approach to Healthcare
Allyson Wakeham, a staff nurse in Minehead Hospital’s operating theatres, highlighted the advantages of having surgery close to home, especially for elderly patients who find traveling to larger hospitals daunting.
“For some of our older patients, a trip to Taunton can be really challenging, so being able to offer surgery close to home is invaluable.”
She also emphasized the convenience of access, with patients appreciating the ease of travel and relaxed atmosphere at smaller hospitals.
“Patients love how easy it is to get here, and they feel much more comfortable in our smaller, friendly environment. Even relatives enjoy it – they can take their dogs for a walk near the hospital while waiting!”
Challenges and Future Growth
While the expansion of services is a positive step, staff shortages remain a challenge. The hospital is actively recruiting for more scrub nurses and theatre staff to support its growing operations.
“We are hopeful that with more recruitment, we can further increase our theatre days,” said Tessa Sanford. “If you know someone looking for a role in healthcare, tell them to join us!”
Surgeons from Musgrove Park Hospital frequently visit to perform procedures, often bringing trainee surgeons to gain experience in a community hospital setting.
“We’ve only ever had positive feedback from visiting surgeons and trainees about our theatres,” added Tessa.
The expansion of surgical services at Minehead and West Mendip hospitals is a significant step toward improving healthcare accessibility for Somerset residents. By offering local surgeries, these hospitals are reducing strain on major hospitals while ensuring patients receive high-quality care close to home. With ongoing recruitment efforts and plans to further extend services, Somerset’s community hospitals are set to play an even greater role in the region’s healthcare system.
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