I work in an enormous mixed general surgical /orthopaedic ward in a B2 referral hospital. Over the last several years our ward has tried (unsuccesfully) to make orhtopaedics a seperate specialty unit. We certainly have the patient numbers, and the hospitals that we are traditionally  "benchmarked' against have seperate orthopaedic wards. Our orthopaedic surgeons have also been very vocal in trying to establish a seperate orthopaedic unit.

Available literature has demonstrated that orthopaedic patients do better in a seperate, specialist ward. I, personally, also believe this to be true. Designated Orthopaedic nursing staff and allied health staff (especially physios and OT's), would, I think, facilitate  a faster recovery time and more intensive post-operative approach to rehabilitation.

What do you think?