PATIENTS in Huddersfield have been chosen for a special recovery programme to get them home more quickly after surgery.

Those undergoing bowel operations in Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust are being treated at one of 14 sites in England chosen to take part in the new Enhanced Recovery Partnership Programme.

Patients are informed about the impact of surgery and are encouraged to become “active participants” in their own recovery programme, which studies have proved improve results.

The physical stress of major surgery is reduced because less pre-operative preparation is required, new surgical techniques are performed and pain control is well-managed.

Consultant anaesthetist Dr Julio Nunez is the clinical lead for the colorectal enhanced recovery programme at the trust.

He said: “Enhanced Recovery is an exciting new concept, which uses a structured whole-team approach to provide the best care available for patients.

“Patients are allowed to eat, drink and get on their feet a lot sooner.”

Betty Stott, from Sowerby Bridge, was a patient on the programme, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

In the past, a conventional surgical procedure would have meant a hospital stay of around ten days. But with Enhanced Recovery, Betty could go home after just five.

Betty said: “I was amazed that I was able to eat on the same day of my operation and was up and walking about the day after.”

Consultant colorectal surgeon, Mr David Ilsley, carried out the operation at the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

He said: “The programme benefits patients and NHS staff.

“Thanks to the efforts of the whole team, patients recover more quickly and reach the point where they are ready to leave hospital sooner.”

The feeling of “well-being” cited by a quick return to the comforts of home can be a key factor in a successful recovery.

Patients returning home from such surgery are generally advised to have their home prepared to minimise trips around the house and to have plenty of quiet activities to keep them occupied.

Psychologically, the negative associations of feeling contained in a hospital and away from family can have a detrimental effect on top of the physical soreness of the procedure.

Thirty patients have been treated on the programme at the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust since it was launched in November.