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A proven way of doing more: Five years of refining high-productivity orthopaedics
Over that period, the model has now supported more than 1,100 patients nationwide, working in partnership with NHS organisations across the UK.
A recent example comes from an NHS Trust in the Midlands, where last week Medinet delivered an eight-patient joint replacement list using the Trust’s own theatre facilities during previously under-utilised periods. On the day, the team completed eight joint replacements in a single theatre, with the first patient in at 08:05 and the final patient out at 17:20. The list finished on time, using one surgeon, one anaesthetist and one theatre.
Prior to Medinet’s involvement, the Trust had achieved a maximum of four joint replacements per day. But, while the productivity of the day was striking, the real value lay in how it was achieved.
This was not a standalone service delivered in isolation. Medinet worked closely with the Trust’s local clinical and theatre teams, planning the pathway in advance and aligning processes with local practice. Their insight and collaboration were essential, and their openness to new ways of working helped ensure the day ran smoothly. This side-by-side approach is central to how we work and has been consistently welcomed by teams across the country.
Our orthopaedics model is built around enhanced recovery principles and careful preparation before the day of surgery. Patients attend structured pre-assessment clinics, with physiotherapy input, allowing early optimisation and clear expectations. On the day, standardised theatre processes, experienced teams and agreed anaesthetic and analgesic protocols support efficient case flow. Post-operatively, early mobilisation and focused physiotherapy enable many patients to return home the same day, reducing length of stay and easing pressure on inpatient beds.
For Trusts, the model is delivered on a per-procedure basis at a cost significantly below NHS tariff, and includes:
- Ward nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Pre-assessment clinics
- Full surgical team
By making better use of existing theatre capacity, particularly during evenings, weekends or other under-utilised sessions, Trusts can increase surgical throughput without adding sustained pressure to their core workforce or infrastructure. Importantly, the impact extends beyond the individual lists delivered. Through close collaboration and shared learning, local teams frequently adopt elements of the pathway themselves, supporting longer-term improvements in productivity and patient flow.
If your Trust is currently managing an orthopaedics backlog and has theatre capacity that could be better utilised, we would welcome an open, no-pressure conversation about how this proven model might work in your local setting. In our experience, the strongest results always come from working together.
Contact us to find out more.
