PATIENTS going into Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital for a hip or knee operation get the lowdown on what’s going to happen to them at a two-hour ‘Joint School’ session.

It gives them the chance to meet staff, look around the new facilities in the recently opened Jubilee Building and understand what their experience in the orthopaedic department is all about.

Consultant surgeon Alan Dunkley said: “Patients have lots of questions when they are coming into hospital for an operation.

“The Joint School was set up to let people know what will happen when they come in and to help them prepare.

“All of our staff – surgeons, physios, nurses, occupational therapists – take part so that when you arrive they are familiar faces.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to make sure you are absolutely ready for your operation.”

Mr Dunkley added that the service, which is offered by only a few hospitals, “improves patients’ confidence and safety and leads to better results”.

Sue Edwards, of Taunton, who had a hip replacement at Musgrove recently, said: “We saw the whole team.

“They answered all of the questions we had and everyone who was in my group was very impressed.” 

Len Barratt of Sampford Brett, who attended before his knee operation, said: “They told you everything you need to know.

"I was not sure what to expect but it was all very good.”