Our most recent ‘Bones R Us’ week saw us complete five times the usual number of joint replacements across just five days, operating on 51 patients, and is one of the key ways we are reducing our waiting lists. However, none of this would be possible without the work of our COPE team (pictured above).

COPE, which stands for Community Orthopaedic Project in Essex was launched in 1986, as a three-year research project. Little did Rosemary Booth, now team lead who joined it in 1987 as a research nurse, know how vital its work would be in the future to help our recovery from the pandemic.

The specialist team is made up of five nurses, three physiotherapists, all trained in orthopaedics, as well as a healthcare assistant and admin support. They are there to reduce length of hospital stay for our patients, working predominantly with them in their homes, providing nursing care and rehab.

During our Bones weeks, which are only successful due to all our teams working together to make them happen, the COPE team is integral in helping prepare patients to be discharged safely and continuing to work with them on their recovery at home.

Watch video below of Krishna Vemulapalli, our Clinical Lead for Orthopaedics, talking about our Bones weeks.

Rosemary said: “Our role has always been to get people out of hospital quicker and improve patient experience. There is no point in patients sitting in hospital for no medical reason, it’s much better for them to be in their home environment as they continue to recover.

“During Bones weeks, we’re there to support on the day of surgery and the aim is to get patients home safely as quickly as possible after their operation. We visit them on the wards and as soon as they’re medically fit and safe to go home, they can be discharged. For patients who have had joint replacements, we’re a key part of their first week of recovery, offering rehab at home. We also help to reduce patients being readmitted by being able to provide ongoing support outside hospital. We act as advocates for our patients, taking a holistic view of their recovery.”

The COPE team is one of those recognised in our Bones project being shortlisted in the upcoming HSJ Value Award of the Year.

One patient who cannot sing the praises of the team enough is Anjum Nadeem, who has had two hip replacements. They supported the 58-year-old when he spent two months in hospital, and then at home for three months when he was discharged in February this year after having Covid-19.

He said: “I cannot compliment the team highly enough, especially Sue Sammons, a nurse who supported me in hospital and at home.

“When I was in hospital away from my family, she was a godsend. She became part of my family and was brilliant. She even shaved my head one day to cheer me up. I’ve been on a journey, I’m still on it, and Sue was on it with me.”

Find out more about our recovery from the pandemic.