Nurse trains in surgery to improve patients' experience

By Ajay Bagga Leicester

Malcolm Clarke, a nurse at Leicester General Hospital, has been trained to perform carpal tunnel operations, making way for a new service where patients can be treated quickly and
effectively.

Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome usually wait a long time for an operation to decompress the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, but Clarke offers a shorter waiting time and a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Patients are referred to him via their general practitioner and can make an appointment to have the operation at any time during the weekday mornings. The actual operation only lasts half an hour and is performed in a ward treatment room of a ward so patients do not need to go to theatre.

As the waiting list is short, patients are seen much quicker and this decreases the risk of irreversible nerve damage. Clarke uses local anaesthetic to perform the operation so patients can choose to watch him perform the operation or even invite a relative into the room for support during the operation.

The flexibility of the system means that it is easier for mothers and employees to have the operation around their normal schedule and this ease has attracted patients as far as Yorkshire to come and use the service.

Patients who use the service are still under the care of one of the twelve consultants in the unit. This is intentded to ensure patient safety as they are on hand if Clarke needs any further help.

Clarke said, "This is a proven service, is safe, audited, and patients like it. I hope that it will spread across the country so that patients everywhere can benefit from it."