PATIENT satisfaction has seen Dorset County Hospital’s hip replacement service ranked as the best in the country.

The service has scored the highest in the nation under a new NHS initiative that gets patients to feedback on their health and quality of life before and after operations.

The Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) compared the Dorchester hospital with other hospitals and other centres under the new scheme designed to improve the quality of care.

Consultant hip surgeon Peter Ward said he and his team were thrilled with how they had performed and the success was down to a combined effort from all staff.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted as it shows that all the hard work and commitment from the entire team has been worth it.

“Our hip rapid recovery programme now allows patients to get up and about and return home just a few days after surgery.

“We have a team approach with the patient at the centre, involving physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the nursing staff.

“Everyone works together extremely well and is totally focused on doing the best for patients – I think that is the key to our success.”

He added: “To be recognised as the top service in the country is a tremendous achievement and a credit to the whole team. We hope as a department to provide clinical excellence.

“As a relatively small hospital we were delighted to be able to demonstrate outcomes better than every other unit in the country, and strive to improve the care we can provide still further in the future.”

Hospital chief executive Jean O’Callaghan paid tribute to the team at the Ridgeway Ward.

She said: “We are very proud, I think we are delivering a good service and it’s good to have it confirmed with the patient reported outcomes.

“I think it’s testament to the excellent service we have got with quick turnaround times and high quality of care as well as a really good team.”