WUTH recognised with High Commendation for transforming hip and knee replacement care
A service at Wirral University Teaching Hospital has been highly commended in a national award for its digital innovation for helping patients undergoing hip and knee surgery.
The organisation’s Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Service was Highly Commended in the ‘Empowering Patients Through Digital’ category at the 2026 HSJ Digital Awards.
It was in recognition of WUTH’s pioneering approach to supporting patients undergoing elective hip and knee replacement surgery through a digitally enabled care pathway. Since launching in 2022, more than 3,000 patients have been recruited to the service, which combines a smartphone app with a clinical dashboard to improve communication, recovery support and remote monitoring throughout the patient journey.
The service gives patients access to tailored information, exercise videos, recovery guidance and direct contact with specialist teams before and after surgery. It has helped reduce unnecessary face-to-face appointments, supported earlier discharge from hospital and improved access to specialist advice. This has been particularly beneficial for patients who live further away from hospital or have limited access to transport.
Importantly, the service has been designed to ensure equitable access to care, with analogue alternatives available for patients who are unable or choose not to use digital technology.
Robert Lundy, 72, from Irby, used the digital platform as part of his knee replacement surgery pathway at the Cheshire and Merseyside Surgical Centre in 2024.
Rob, an active volunteer, had been struggling with worsening knee pain and was referred for surgery after trying physiotherapy and cortisone injections.
He said: “I was really happy with the app. I’d never heard of it before, but once it was explained to me, I was fully on board.
“It was the best thing I could have done - it made such a difference.
“I felt really connected to the team and well looked after. The messaging system meant I could ask questions, and the nurses checked in with me, which was really reassuring.”
During his recovery, Rob was able to quickly contact the specialist team through the app when he experienced pain following a walk while on holiday.
He said: “Thanks to the app, I was able to send a photo and message the team straight away and get advice and reassurance.
“Without the app, I might have panicked and even ended up in A&E.
“This really is the future of medical care. I’d encourage anyone having surgery to use the app - it’s a fantastic tool.”
The service was recognised in the ‘Empowering Patients Through Digital’ category at the 2026 HSJ Digital Awards, which celebrate organisations and teams using digital technology to improve patient care, access to services and healthcare outcomes across the UK.
Rose Finley, Nurse Consultant for Trauma and Orthopaedics at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition. Our Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Service has transformed the way we care for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery, helping people feel more informed, supported and confident throughout their recovery journey.
“From the beginning, our focus has been on improving patient experience while ensuring the service remains inclusive and accessible to everyone. This award reflects the dedication, innovation and collaboration of the entire multidisciplinary team involved in developing and delivering the service.”
Mr Nigel Donnachie, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “This service has fundamentally changed the way we support our arthroplasty patients. By using digital technology alongside personalised clinical care, we are able to monitor recovery more effectively, intervene earlier when needed and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.
“It has also given clinicians greater confidence in supporting early discharge and remote follow-up, while ensuring patients still feel connected to specialist teams throughout their recovery.”
The service was developed as part of WUTH’s wider Pathway Optimisation Programme in partnership with technology provider Zimmer Biomet and has already attracted interest from organisations regionally and nationally looking to implement similar models of care.
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “It’s fantastic that we are able to use digital technology to support our patients in their recovery after surgery. We are always looking at ways to innovate and improve services for patients and I’m really proud that we were highly commended in these national awards.”
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Photo Captions:
Photo 1 (above): Top left, left to right: Mr Nigel Donnachie, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Joint Service Lead; Rose Finley, Nurse Consultant for Trauma and Orthopaedics and Joint Service Lead; Fiona Busby, Orthopaedic Specialist Nurse; and Laura Allen, Interim Deputy Divisional Director of Surgery. Bottom left, left to right: Judith Makin, Assistant Directorate Manager for Trauma and Orthopaedics; Alison Roberts, Orthopaedic Specialist Nurse; and Angela Shipley, Recon and DTS Solutions Architect UK and Ireland at Zimmer Biomet, celebrating WUTH’s national award win for its Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Service.
Photo 2 (above): Laura Allen, Interim Deputy Divisional Director of Surgery; Judith Makin, Assistant Directorate Manager for Trauma and Orthopaedics; Rose Finley, Nurse Consultant for Trauma and Orthopaedics and Joint Service Lead; Mr Nigel Donnachie, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Joint Service Lead; Alison Roberts, Orthopaedic Specialist Nurse; Fiona Busby, Orthopaedic Specialist Nurse; and Angela Shipley, Recon and DTS Solutions Architect UK and Ireland at Zimmer Biomet, celebrating WUTH’s national award win for its Digitally Supported Arthroplasty Service.
Photo 3 (above): Robert Lundy enjoying one of his regular walks following knee replacement surgery.