We are a specialist multi-disciplinary team that supports early discharge of orthopaedic patients and rehabilitation in their own home environment. We are also involved in treating patients following inpatient and day case surgery. We assess and prioritise patients on waiting lists for joint replacement surgery as well as carry-out six week post-operative checks in patients' homes.

We operate 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday with after hours and weekend support as required.

Key telephone numbers

You can contact us on 01708 435 525

What types of treatments are available in your service?

We provide:

• efficient discharge of orthopaedic patients into the community in liaison with the multi-disciplinary teams throughout Brentwood, Barking, Havering and Redbridge
• patient’s safety and independence by providing a suitable assessment of daily living
• rehabilitation for patients back to maximal function, safety and independence using all the qualities of the multi-disciplinary team within COPE
• efficient use of orthopaedic inpatient beds and increase throughput of patients in conjunction with other members of the orthopaedic team
• specialised orthopaedic care in the community for patients having day case surgery, thereby releasing hospital beds
• advice and support for other healthcare professionals, both in acute and primary setting
• assessment urgency, and priority for patients on the waiting lists for joint replacement surgery to help provide quicker access to inpatient care for those patients requiring more urgent treatment. To liaise with and refer to other community agencies when appropriate.
• help to reduce waiting times for outpatient appointments, by assessing patients six weeks post-operatively in own home environment
• a national point of reference of intermediate care for other specialist multi-disciplinary teams
• prevention of unnecessary re-admission of patients by early detection of complications including assessment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and referral to appropriate service
• GP access to the service both for referrals and advice.

Key staff

Lead nurse / AHP - Rosemary Booth

Referrals and other information

How does an external healthcare provider refer to your service?

Referrals can be made as follows:

• elective surgery:
  • from the surgeon in the outpatient clinic if they need a visit before being admitted for surgery
  • through pre-admission clinic when the patient attends prior to their admission date
  • by a COPE team member from the ward’s patient folders or ward staff
• trauma: a COPE team member picks up new admissions from the orthopaedic wards each morning (except at weekends) via the ward staff, ward rounds or computer records
• day surgery: from pre-admission unit or via admissions.

Other referrals can include GPs, district nurses, other hospitals or the patients themselves.