Thomson Backs NHS Grampian's 'Fitsurgery' Programme

Published date : 05 May, 2022

Local SNP MP Richard Thomson has given his backing to a new initiative from NHS Grampian urging people to get fit for surgery with their new ‘prehabilitation’ programme.

The FITSurgery programme is aimed at improving patient experience, recovery times, shorten hospital stays and deliver better surgical outcomes. It will encourage patients to undertake as much physical exercise as they can, improve their diet, reduce smoking and alcohol intake, ensure they are psychologically prepared, ensure they are advised on medications, and ensure they have prepared their home for discharge prior to an operation.

Commenting on the initiative, Richard Thomson MP said:

“I very much welcome this programme from NHS Grampian. The more that patients feel that their treatment and journey back to recovery is something done with them rather than being done to them, the better the experience should be.

“This is all about improving outcomes for people and ensuring that as well as getting the best possible treatment from our NHS staff, patients give themselves the best possible chance of a swift recovery by following a few simple guidelines.”

Professor Duff Bruce, clinical lead and general surgeon, said:

“As surgeons we consistently find the more informed patients and their carers or family members are prior to surgical admission, the more likely they are to be better prepared and have a better experience. That helps lead to a quicker recovery and a shorter length of hospital stay.

“FITSurgery is all about trying to build on that - we will help patients prepare, support their physical health both before and after surgery, ensure their respiratory health is as good as it can be, support their mental health and ensure they know what to expect when they come to hospital for their operation.

“To a point it sounds like common sense, but it really does make a difference - the more prepared and fitter a patient is when they undergo surgery the better their outcomes.”

More information can be found at: www.fitsurgery.org

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