Author: Jason Curtis

To increase the percentage of eligible patients being mobilised after surgery (2025)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Luke Fox

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, April 2025

SMART Aim:

To increase the amount of hip fracture patients returning to their original residence within 120 days as evidenced by the NHFD database. To increase the percentage of eligible patients being mobilised after surgery by 20% by the end of March 2025 as evidenced by local data collection

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Improve uptake of the Shingles vaccine (Shingrix) in eligible, immunocompromised patients (2025)

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Type of publication:

Service improvement case study

Author(s):

*Olivia James and *Luke Moss

Citation:

SaTH Improvement Hub, April 2025

SMART Aim:

Increase in the uptake of the Shingrix vaccine in immunocompromised patients at Bridgnorth Medical Practice to 50% of those eligible, by 1st April 2025

Link to PDF poster

Colorectal cancer mortality rates in an English county, Shropshire (2025)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Wilson R.; *Shah J.; *Shittu S.; *Goh Y.L.; *Ball W.

Citation:

British Journal of Surgery. Conference: Annual Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. Edinburgh United Kingdom. 112(Supplement 13) (pp xiii69), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Aug 2025.

Abstract:

Aim: To evaluate outcomes of patients dying within 12 months of colorectal cancer diagnosis in Shropshire County. Method(s): A single-centre retrospective review was conducted on patients who died within 12 months of diagnosis between 2020 and 2024. Patient demographics, performance status, time from referral to imaging, diagnosis, MDT, death, and treatment intent were collected. Result(s): A total of 103 patients (44 male, 59 female), with a mean age of 74 (range 32-96) years. Most had a performance status of 1 and lived in their own home (92%). Geographically, 60% lived in Shrewsbury, 34% in Telford, and 9% in Wolverhampton. Referral sources were mainly from GPs (55%), with 74% seen within two weeks. Other referral sources include emergency admission to SAU (20%) and AMU (16%). All patients underwent CT imaging, and 57% had endoscopic procedures. The average age at death was 75 (range 34-97), with the most common cause being distant metastatic sigmoid cancer. The average time from diagnosis to death was 4.4 months. Treatment intent was palliative for 90% of patients (44% best supportive care, 56% oncology), and 59% of those referred to oncology received palliative treatment. Eight patients with curative intent died due to emergency presentation with sepsis and multiorgan failure (2), prior to commencing treatment (1), complications of treatment (3), or declined treatment (2). Conclusion(s): This audit highlights that colorectal cancer patients in Shropshire are predominantly elderly, over 70 years, with significant co-morbidities and a performance status of at least 1.

DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znaf166.263

Endoscopic Follow-up after Acute Diverticulitis (2025)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Sultana E.; *Chakrabarty A.; *Ball W.

Citation:

British Journal of Surgery. Conference: Annual Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. Edinburgh United Kingdom. 112(Supplement 13) (pp xiii59), 2025. Date of Publication: 01 Aug 2025.

Abstract:

Introduction: Acute diverticulitis is one of the most common causes for surgical emergency hospital admissions in the UK. The guidelines for endoscopic follow-up for patients with diverticulitis has changed over the last few years. This study aimed to assess the local follow-up of patients who present with diverticulitis. The objective was to identify the outcome of patients with diverticulitis and establish the new local guidelines for endoscopic follow-up. Method(s): A single-centre retrospective study was done for all patients who had CT proven diverticulitis at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in 2022. Data was collected about the patient demographics, vital statistics on presentation, Hinchey Classification, mode of management, previous admissions with diverticulitis, readmissions in one year, surgery in one year, and their follow-up results. Result(s): There were 193 patients in the study with a median age of 61 (IQR: 51-73) and 37.8% were male. Follow-up endoscopy was done in 45.6% (87/193) of the patients, amongst which 85.1% (74) had uncomplicated diverticulitis. There was one cancer detected in colonoscopy and one in flexible sigmoidoscopy both of which were suspicious on the initial CT scan. 13 patients had a follow-up CT scan within 1 year, of which 2 confirmed cancer. Median time for endoscopy and CT scan was 10 and 26 weeks from discharge, respectively. Conclusion(s): Diagnosis of cancer on an isolated follow-up colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy after uncomplicated diverticulitis is rare. These investigations should be reserved for patients with complicated diverticulitis or suspicious features of cancer on the initial CT scan.

DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znaf166.222