Stepping Hill Hospital has been chosen as one of the pilot sites for a Greater Manchester wide project to help patients who have had major abdominal surgery recovery better and go home sooner following their operations.

Known as ERAS + (for ‘Enhanced Recovery After Surgery’), the initiative sees surgical medical, nursing and physiotherapy staff working together to ensure the patient is in the best physical shape possible both before and after surgery. 

As well as encouraging more physical activity before and after their operation, the program encourages lifestyle modifications such as smoking, alcohol and nutrition advice, together with more specialised steps such as muscle strengthening, oral hygiene and breathing exercises. Patients attend a preoperative education session called "Surgery School" and can even be referred for a pre and postoperative exercise program provided by local sport and fitness service Life Leisure.

Colin Wasson, Medical Director said “The new approach ensures we’re providing surgical patients with the all support they need both before and after their operation, to give them the best possible chance of a speedy and uneventful recovery. It’s still fairly new, but already we are seeing patients really benefit from this approach.”