The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) Colorectal Surgical Team are one of just a few of the 140 centres across the whole of the UK to hold prehabilitation clinics for patients facing the prospect of bowel cancer surgery.
Donations and fundraising through the Surgical, Gasto Research, Education and Equipment Fund of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity has supported the clinics with the provision of a of a set of bioimpedance analysis (body composition) scales, hand grip strength dynamometer and other exercise equipment (such as weights and therabands) designed to support patients as they are encouraged to be as fit as possible pre surgery.
“We know that if our surgical patients are in good physical and mental condition when they have surgery, the benefits for them post-surgery are immense. In our prehabilitation clinics, patients hear from colleagues across all aspects of their care – physiotherapists, dieticians, surgeons and nurses all meet with the patients to offer advice and support. Patients embracing prehabilitation can make a real difference, even in a short space of time,” said Mr Nick Battersby, Colorectal Consultant Surgeon at RCHT.
Following referral into the service, usually following an endoscopy, colorectal patients are invited to attend the prehabilitation clinic where they undergo screening and monitoring before being taken through presentations illustrating the importance of fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing prior to surgery. The information is backed up with practical and achievable advice that patients can take away and they are even offered a weekly exercise class at the hospital for added moral support. For some patients their prehabilitation continues with 1:1 support from the team until after their surgery,
Hannah Pearce, Prehabilitation Dietitian, explains the sessions for patients,
“Patients that take on board our advice really do reap the benefits. Even small changes to their activity levels to build vital muscle mass and tweaks to their diet to improve their nutritional status all help their body to be in the best possible shape for a fast and effective recovery.”
The impact of prehabilitation is already evident with a reduction in length of post op hospital stays, faster recovery periods as well as better overall outcomes for the patient,
“We know that prehabilitation enables patients to recover quicker and with fewer complications. There is evidence for improved response rates to chemotherapy and radiotherapy too. Essentially our patients are more likely to be able to swiftly return to normal life. Consistently seeing these improvements frees up capacity so we can treat other patients needing the same care.” said Mr Battersby.
The team are keen to encourage more patients to attend the prehabilitation clinic and they hope the video explaining the service will increase reassurance,
The team has also produced a short video to give further explanation about the clinic:
Fundraising and donations from individuals and local businesses enabled the purchase of equipment for the clinic and they are acknowledged at the start of each clinic.
“The support of our local community through donations and fundraising is allowing us to go above and beyond in the care that we provide. We are enormously grateful for their support and, having been to several charity events now, we know just how much hard work goes into their fundraising efforts,” adds Mr Battersby.
Anyone wishing to support or find out more about the Surgical, Gasto Research, Education and Equipment Fund is asked to contact Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity. Email: Rcht.charity@nhs.net or phone: 01872 252858.