Patient Guide

The NOC has a long reputation of excellence and friendliness, this has been established by the extraordinary people that work and are treated here everyday.

Going into hospital is always daunting, but we will do all we can to make you welcome and ensure your time with us is as pleasant and comfortable as possible.


NHS Constitution

The NHS Constitution brought together in one place what the NHS does, what it stands for and the commitments it should live up to.  It describes and renews our commitment to the values and enduring principles of the NHS.  It is also a living document that needs to reflect what matters and is relevant to the needs of patients, the public and staff in the 21st century. To find out more information on the NHS Constitution please click on the 'NHS Constitution' link at the bottom of the page.

If you have any concerns about your rights as a patient and how the NOC is fulfilling its part of the NHS Constitution with regard to your own care please contact the PALS Office.

Download an 'easy read' summary of the NHS Constitution here.

Your Privacy and Dignity

We are committed to ensuring your privacy and dignity and during your stay with us you will be cared for in a same sex four-bedded bay or a single room. However for a short period following your operation, you will be nursed in the Recovery Unit where you need to be in a large open area for clinical observation before being transferred to your ward.

This means you may be in a bed near to someone of the opposite sex during this short period. If this concerns you please discuss the issue with the pre-operative assessment nursing staff and we will look at how we can address your concerns.

Find out more about our work on Privacy, Dignity and Respect

Why choose us?

At the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre we take pride in our excellent services, falling waiting times, skilled and dedicated staff, purpose-built new buildings . . . and much more.  We aim to be a first-choice hospital for orthopaedic treatment, rheumatology, rehabilitation and disability services.

We see around 20,000 outpatients each year and around 9,000 patients are admitted for treatment.

Each year we perform around:

  • 940 knee operations
  • 1,070 hip operations
  • 1,400 arthroscopies

Your experience

Our £42 million new hospital has modern wards, clinics and other patient areas, alongside the purpose-built Oxford Centre for Enablement. The result is that although there have been health services on this site for more than 100 years, we are now delivering our high-quality, world-renowned services from brand new buildings.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall officially opened the new orthopaedic hospital buildings in July 2007. Patients can expect to enjoy the very best in orthopaedic healthcare in top-class facilities and impressive surroundings with patients and visitors welcomed by the triple-height glazed entrance atrium at the heart of the hospital.

As a small specialist hospital, the NOC has a unique, friendly atmosphere – one that is enjoyed by patients and staff alike. 

Better access to our services

Our waiting times are coming down and you can expect to wait no more than 18 weeks before the start of your orthopaedic treatment.  Some earlier stages of your treatment such as MRI scans are offered within six weeks of being referred by your GP.

No patient with suspected cancer waits more than two weeks for an appointment.

Faster access to treatment and care is being supported by the new Choose and Book system. This national electronic referral service gives patients, in discussion with their GP, a choice of place, date and time for their first outpatient appointment should they need to see a hospital consultant or other healthcare professional. Patients have the option of booking their appointment in the GP surgery, or over the telephone for one of our clinics or with one of our consultants.

We now offer:

  • Same day MRI – where appropriate, patients are able to have MRI scans when attending outpatient appointments.
  • Operating theatres running six days a week with MRI facilities running seven days a week and in the evenings.
  • Additional outpatient clinics on Saturdays and in the evenings.
  • Same day admission for your operation – on average, more than 70% of our patients are able to come to hospital that day for their operation.

Hospital general manger for musculoskeletal services Sarah Kidd-May said:

“Our staff have been instrumental in implementing many new ways of working to ensure that the patient’s experience here at the NOC is not only smooth and efficient, but also of the highest quality. This has been delivered with a huge amount of energy, enthusiasm and desire to provide our patients with the best quality care in a manner that avoids unnecessary delays and inconvenience.”

Quality

We are a specialist hospital employing specialist staff with high skill levels.  We have: