Health professionals looking to specialise in elbow surgery came to Teesside as part of a bespoke training programme – one of the first of its kind in the area.
The North East elbow arthroplasty training event was hosted by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust recently.
The two-day course, for senior resident surgeons and surgical care practitioners, included a state-of-the-art mobile training truck where doctors could practice techniques used in the operating theatre.
Richard Jeavons, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who created and led the course, said: “We are proud to have hosted this event right on our doorstep in Teesside – training the next generation of elbow surgeons.
“It’s a real achievement for us at the trust and a sign of the standing we have as an orthopaedic centre of excellence in the region.
“The course covered the treatment of elbow arthritis and complex elbow fracture injuries, replacing half a joint and a full elbow replacement – as well as much more.
“Resident surgeons and surgical care practitioners had the chance to learn from expert elbow surgeons involved in delivering the content of the course, as well as ask questions.
“On top of that, thanks to the training truck provided by Stryker, trainees could become familiar with many of the tools and equipment used in surgery and could practice using these during special sessions.
“Personally for me, it was a fantastic opportunity to share learning with my extremely talented and experienced colleagues. I know we have all learned a huge amount that we will put into future clinical practice and we look forward to delivering training of this type again in the future.”
Those involved in delivering the course included orthopaedic surgeons Sam Vollans from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, professor Rajesh Nanda and Blair Tweedie from North Tees and Hartlepool, Jonny Kent from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Aparna Viswanath and Jim McVie from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.