'Healing friends' boost patients

The scheme is based on one which originated in Holland

A Suffolk hospital claims to have halved the recovery time of patients who have undergone a hip or knee replacement by pairing up patients.

The Joint Care Programme at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, befriends people who have similar operations on the same day.

The hospital said over the past four years, it had halved the number of days needed in hospital from 12 to six.

The programme is based on a similar one used in Holland.

Sharing experiences

It encourage patients in their rehabilitation to help each other and work alongside surgeons, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Dr Mr Willem Schenk, one of the hospital's consultant orthopaedic surgeons, suggested the programme after seeing how successful it had been in Holland.

He said: "The programme gives patients the chance to help each other by sharing their experiences and advising on how to overcome problems.

"The group rehabilitation sessions also give patients the chance to see other people's successes, giving them a better idea of what to expect when they are treated.

"We can treat even more people and help them get back on their feet."