Southend Hospital: New same-day discharge hysterectomy

Southend Hospital's day surgery team has successfully piloted laparoscopic - or keyhole - hysterectomies on three patients.

This is a first for the region and means patients are now able to return home on the same day.

This not only speeds up a patient’s recovery but also reduces the risk of complications that can happen from extended hospital stays.

Previously, patients would typically have stayed in hospital for two to three days.

Incredible - Southend Hospital's day surgery team has successfully piloted laparoscopic hysterectomies (Image: Mid and South Essex NHS Trust)

Now, the day surgery unit can perform the same procedure, allowing patients to recover more quickly at home.

Mr Sanjaya Kalkur, clinical director for obstetrics and gynaecology and lead surgeon, said: "Doing laparoscopic hysterectomies in day surgery is in line with the latest national guidance.

"We were keen to adopt it at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, and by doing this we have been able to free up inpatient beds for those who most need them.”

Cheryl Guinea, Gynaecology Matron, added: “The feedback we had from patients has been amazing.

"They couldn’t believe how well they felt, and in some cases didn’t feel like they had actually had surgery.

"One of the interesting things is that it helped to overcome some of the preconceived views these women had about hysterectomy surgeries.”

Amanda Smith, from Thorpe Bay, was one of the patients treated by the team, and was shocked at how well she felt following the procedure.

She said: "Considering I had major surgery, I feel so well.

"Even though the care I received in hospital was amazing, I believe being at home speeded up my recovery.

"I did not feel alone, I had all the aftercare I needed and knew I could contact the hospital at any time should I have needed to.”

The Day Surgery team is currently reviewing the results of the pilot and are hoping to offer more of these surgeries to hysterectomy patients in the future.