The UKs leading orthopaedic surgery centre

The South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre

Referrers

Refer your patient directly to SWLEOC via the electronic referral system (e-RS). We accept patients from all over the UK and internationally both via the NHS and privately. Alternatively, refer your patient to an orthopaedic consultant at your local hospital we are linked with Epsom, St Helier, Croydon, Kingston and St. George’s.

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Patients

Becoming an NHS patient at SWLEOC is a simple process, your GP can refer you directly or you can be seen privately. If you are suffering from painful joints or have concerns about decreased mobility, then it’s time to talk to someone who can help you. Click here for NHS patients and click here for private patients.

How to get referred

About us

Performing around 6,300 procedures a year, approximately 4,000 of these are joint replacements, SWLEOC is recognised as the largest joint replacement centre in the UK and one of the largest in Europe.

Here at SWLEOC you will receive world class care with the latest techniques and technologies to help reduce pain and get you back to normal in the shortest time and safest way possible.

SWLEOC was rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commissions (CQC) when they inspected our hospital in November 2015.

Waiting times - Due to the backlog caused by Covid-19, waiting times cannot be determined at this stage. Please be assured that we will be in touch as soon as possible to schedule your surgery.

Croydon University Hospital

Kingston University Hospital

Epsom & St Helier

St George's Hospital

SWLEOC

Markers of our success

98%

of our patients said they would recommend us to their friends & family

0.9%

Infection Rate Hip replacement

0.8%

Infection Rate Knee replacement

110%

of our usual capacity to provide more surgeries to aid recovery after COVID

Latest News

Statement on recent media reports:

You may have seen recent media reports about an incident where a consultant anaesthetist was found asleep during an operation at SWLEOC.

We understand this may cause some concern, but would like to reassure you about the care we provide. Our priority is to always keep our patients safe.

In this particular instance, a member of staff immediately spotted what had happened and sought help from another consultant anaesthetist, who came straight away and ensured that the patient having the operation continued to be cared for safely. The operation was completed without any compromise to the patient's safety.

All anaesthesia at SWLEOC is conducted by experienced consultant anaesthetists, who are supported by a team of operating department practitioners. And we always ensure additional staff are available in the event of an incident.

We also provided support to the consultant anaesthetist who had fallen asleep, and encouraged him to go home and rest. He was employed via an agency - as is standard practice in hospitals to cover leave - and has not returned to work at SWLEOC.

We hope this reassures you that SWLEOC - which is recognised as a centre of excellence - is a safe place to receive care.

Winners at the NOA Awards

We are absolutely delighted to share with you that we have won three awards at National Orthopaedic Alliance award for Excellence in Orthopaedics. The GIRFT and SWLEOC toolkit guides NHS colleagues through the detailed processes of setting up and running an effective surgical hub, supporting a key NHS priority to tackle waiting times and ensure patients have timely access to the surgery they need. The extensive resource – developed in a collaboration between Getting Right First Time (GIRFT) and the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC) won the top awards for Partnership and Integration Initiative and Innovation in Orthopaedics.

Representatives of the spine pain referral MDT project collecting the award

Pictured (left to right): Ann Hoey, Programme Director Nation Orthopaedic Alliance (NOA), Boudine Pearce, Professional lead for Elective Orthopaedics and musculoskeletal services SWLEOC, Mr Chris Hulme, Consultant Spinal Surgeon SWLEOC & Lucy Jones Orthopaedics & MSK Project Manager SWLEOC