Torbay Day Surgery Unit recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Discover how the team has adapted, grown and developed their services over the years. Back
After 30 years of caring for patients, Torbay Day Surgery Unit shows no signs of standing still. Alex Allen, Senior Sister, tells us about the team, developments within the unit and plans for the future.
A team approach
At the heart of Torbay's success is a passionate and flexible team, with many staff members working across multiple areas of the unit. The patient journey begins with pre-assessment, often carried out by the same nurses who may later discharge patients following their procedure. This approach gives nursing staff a clear insight into the whole pathway, which they can share with patients, and helps them plan for a safe and successful discharge from the very start.
The unit actively encourages staff to become multi-skilled, helping to provide cover across all areas while offering greater role variety, job satisfaction and a broader understanding of how each part of the service contributes to patient care. Alex believes this has been key to both recruitment and retention, helping to foster a strong one-team culture focused on supporting patients throughout their surgical journey.
Torbay cares for both adult and paediatric patients and has recently achieved accreditation as a surgical hub in both areas.
Lessons from the pandemic
Like many services across the NHS, the unit faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Established ways of working were disrupted, the unit temporarily closed and teams were separated. However, some positive changes emerged from that difficult period. Telephone pre-assessment, staggered admissions for selected lists and the opportunity for staff to gain experience in different clinical areas have all contributed to a more flexible, skilled and knowledgeable workforce. The experience also strengthened the team's belief in the benefits of day surgery for patients.
Investing in the future
The unit has benefited from a recent expansion, with two new theatres and additional space in recovery, on the ward and within pre-assessment areas over the last three years.
Looking ahead, the team remains focused on pushing the boundaries of day surgery, anaesthesia and nursing practice, always with patients at the centre of what they do.
As Alex puts it:
"We look forward to challenging current boundaries in surgery, anaesthetics and day surgery nursing with the patient at the forefront and aim to ride the day surgery wave over the next 30 years!"
Thank you to the Torbay team for sharing their story and congratulations on reaching this impressive milestone.
Could your unit be our next DSU Spotlight?
If your team would like to be featured in a future DSU Spotlight, we'd love to hear from you. It's an opportunity to share your experiences, introduce your team and connect with colleagues across the day surgery community.