Musgrove Park Hospital has celebrated a new 'first' after developing its day surgeries.

Patients who undergo a vaginal hysterectomy at the hospital are now able to return home the same day, thanks to the use of keyhole surgery.

Previously patients would have had to endure an average stay in hospital of two or three days following the procedure, which is carried out to provide relief from pelvic organ prolapse.

Gemma Briggs, a theatres matron at Somerset FT, said it was great news that patients are now able to access even more hysterectomy options as a day case procedure.

“Our surgeons really are pushing the boundaries in the type of procedures that can be done as a day case,” she said.

“We’re pleased to now be able to offer both vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomies without the need for an overnight stay.”

Mr Hadi Haerizadeh, clinical director for obstetrics and gynaecology at Musgrove Park Hospital, added: “For some of our patients, having a hysterectomy as a day case procedure has a whole host of benefits, such as being able to get back up and about quicker with less time needed to recover. They’re also likely to need less pain relief, and it helps us to reduce waiting times.

“A day case procedure also helps us to free up inpatient beds at the hospital, reducing the burden on highly skilled colleagues who provide cover out-of-hours, and minimises the risks of hospital acquired infection and venous thromboembolism.”

Gemma added: “We know waiting times for most surgeries increased during the pandemic, which has led to huge pressures on our services over the last few years, so this sort of initiative greatly helps us to both reduce waiting lists, and make it a better all-round experience for our patients.

“We would like to thank everyone in our gynaecology team for the excellent work they’ve done to develop this type of innovation, which will have so many benefits for our patients – it has been a truly collaborative multidisciplinary effort.”