Residents of Newark can now have orthopaedic operations closer to home thanks to a new orthopaedic service that has been brought back to he town’s hospital.

As part of restoring services to Newark Hospital after some had to be reduced because of Covid-19, elective orthopaedic surgery has returned for the first time since 2013.

Patients in and around Newark will now be able to have a range of operations at their local hospital, including hip replacements, knee replacements, treatments for joints and other orthopaedic procedures.

More services are due to be brought back in the coming weeks.

The divisional general manager for surgery at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust — which operates the hospital — Steve Jenkins, said: “This is brilliant news for our patients because they can now have these operations and procedures closer to home without the need for travel to other hospitals that are further away.

“We are committed to increasing services at Newark Hospital, so it is great to see these services up and running.

“We listened to our patients’ feedback and it was clear that residents would benefit from this service being brought back to Newark Hospital.

“I hope that many patients can use the service and that it improves their health and wellbeing by being able to stay closer to home.”

Jan Maynard, 69, who was the first patient to have a hip operation at Newark through the new service, said: “I had my pre-op in March, but then the pandemic happened, so I have been waiting to have the operation since then.

“When the hospital called and told me I could have it at Newark I was really pleased and thought I would go for it.

“The service has been really good and everyone has been extremely nice and helpful.

“I have had everything explained to me clearly and it has been a nice environment to be in, or as nice as having an operation can be!

“I’m looking forward to going home and being looked after by my son after experiencing a brilliant service from Newark Hospital.”

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