Smith+Nephew and Standard Health partner on first Orthopaedic Ambulatory Surgery Centre in the UK

Core Viewpoint - Smith+Nephew has announced a strategic partnership with Standard Health to develop the first Orthopaedic Ambulatory Surgery Centre in the UK, aimed at improving access to advanced joint repair and replacement technologies for both NHS and private patients [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership Details - The new centre will be located in Poole, Dorset, and is expected to open in 2025, serving thousands of patients annually, primarily through NHS referrals [3][4]. - Standard Health will manage the site development and operation, while Smith+Nephew will provide its innovative medical technologies [2][10]. - Standard Health plans to expand by opening an additional 10 sites in the UK over the next three years, totaling 20 by 2030 [2]. Group 2: Operational Model and Benefits - The centre will adopt the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) model from the US, which has proven benefits such as greater procedural efficiency, a 92% patient satisfaction rate, and a 40% reduction in costs for outpatient joint replacements compared to hospital-based surgeries [3][6]. - The UK currently has over 850,000 individuals waiting for orthopaedic surgery, highlighting the need for independent providers to meet this demand [3]. Group 3: Strategic Goals - The partnership aims to redefine the UK independent care provider model for orthopaedics, ensuring a standard quality of care and long-term sustainability for NHS commissioners [4]. - The collaboration is positioned to address the significant waiting times for procedures in the UK, leveraging Smith+Nephew's expertise in ASCs to enhance patient outcomes [4][10].