RESEARCH into improving joint replacement operations has won Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust a prestigious award.

The Trust has been named as a National Joint Registry (NJR) Quality Data Provider for its work in joint replacement operations.

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The NJR monitors the performance of hip, knee, elbow and shoulder joint replacement operations to improve clinical outcomes for he benefit of patients, clinicians and industry.

Alison Szewczyk, interim director of nursing and quality at Frimley Health, said: “Improving patient safety is of the utmost importance and something all staff take very seriously. "We fully support the National Joint Registry’s work in facilitating improvement in clinical outcomes and governance for the benefit of joint replacement patients and we’re delighted to be awarded as an NJR Quality Data Provider.”

In order to achieve the award, hospitals must meet six ambitious targets during the period of 2017 to 2018.

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Frimley Health runs Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot and Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.

Tim Wilton, NJR medical director, added: "Congratulations to colleagues at Frimley Health. The Quality Data Provider Award demonstrates the high standards being met towards ensuring compliance with the NJR and is often a reflection of strong departmental efforts to achieve such status.

"Registry data now provides an important source of evidence for regulators, such as the Care Quality Commission, to inform their judgements about services, as well as being a fundamental driver to inform improved quality of care for patients.”