About Us
The South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC) is based at Epsom Hospital, SWLEOC is run in partnership by four local acute NHS trusts and provides orthopaedic services for patients from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals, St George’s Healthcare, Croydon University Hospitals and Kingston Hospital. It was setup to be operationally independent whilst being accountable to the four partner trusts.
SWLEOC was established in 2004, in response to pressures on trauma and orthopaedic services and growing elective waiting lists with wait times in excess of 2 years. It is one of the earliest dedicated elective surgical “hubs”. Since then the centre has rapidly become the largest hip and knee replacement centre in the UK and one of the largest in Europe, performing 6000 procedures, including 3.200 joint replacements, every year.
Key Statistics
- Average wait for a procedure from referral into SWLEOC is up to a maximum of 19.5 weeks.
- Capped theatre utilisation is consistently 85%.
- Average length of stay is 1.7 days.
- 30% of hip and knee replacement patients go home the same day.
- 65% of hip and knee replacement patients are home by day one.
- Patient satisfaction is consistently 98% in all areas.
A Centre of Excellence
SWLEOC is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence in orthopaedic surgery, research, and development. Our patient-centered care is driven by a dedicated multi-disciplinary team focused on continuously improving and innovating patient pathways to provide high-quality, cost-effective elective orthopaedic services.
Vision and Values
SWLEOC had a unique opportunity at its inception to create an environment that could differ from previous experience. Drawing on the knowledge and experience of the multi-professional team, SWLEOC sought to create an environment that put the patient first, while aiming to improve processes, cost and efficiency.
To improve the quality of life for patients by undertaking elective orthopaedic procedures in an environment that pursues excellence through learning and research.
Our Mission: To be the provider of choice for orthopaedic procedures for South London and South Coast.
- To be world leaders in orthopaedic care, using innovation, research and education to provide the highest quality, patient centred experience.
- Caring for patients, their families and staff
- Being a learning organisation; embracing the idea of continuous improvement
- Pursuing excellence, using measures and outcome tools to identify best practice and ensure the care we give is leading edge.
- To be transparent and open over our actions or omissions with patients and stakeholders.
Working in Partnership
Driven by the vision of clinicians, boards, and executives, SWLEOC has established itself as world-class orthopaedic centre in a state-of-the-art facility on the Epsom Hospital site. The centre benefits from 53 consultant orthopaedic surgeons and a dedicated multidisciplinary team. SWLEOC was set up to be operationally independent yet accountable to four partner trusts. Our "ring-fenced" beds and staff ensure that any acute bed capacity shortages do not affect our ability to deliver planned elective care.