International seal of approval for our bariatric surgery service

It’s celebrations all round after colleagues in our bariatric surgery team learned that the service has been reaccredited as an international Center* of Excellence by the American-based Surgical Review Corporation (SRC).

Our bariatric team is made up of five consultant surgeons, two clinicians in psychology, dietitians, and specialist nurses. The team can also draw on the support of our endocrinology service where needed, with colleagues on the inpatient wards and surgical admissions lounge playing an important part too.

The multidisciplinary team follows a patient through their entire episode of care, from the very beginning when they are referred by their GP for bariatric surgery, to their recovery and life after surgery, helping them to maintain their weight loss, where they get support from the team for an additional two years.

Zoe Hall is one of two bariatric specialist nurses at the trust, working alongside her colleague Kirsty Lock.

“We were first accredited as a Center of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation when I first started at Musgrove Park, back in 2009, and we’ve managed to continue this at every three-yearly inspection,” says Zoe.

“This year is the first since the COVID-19 pandemic that the corporation’s team made a visit, where they inspected the whole hospital, including outpatients, operating theatres, post-anaesthetic recovery, and inpatient wards, to make sure we have the right type of bariatric equipment and that we have all the tools to provide the best possible service to our patients.

“We were visited by the well-renowned Dr. Neil Hutcher, a former bariatric surgeon in the United States and Chief Medical Officer of the Surgical Review Corporation.

“Dr. Hutcher also checked our surgery data to make sure that we’ve done enough operations to qualify for the accreditation, and that we are assured to be an excellent organisation in our field.

“Not only have we maintained our high standards from before, but we’ve also introduced robotic surgery in bariatrics for the first time.

“Another area of innovation is our partnership with Allurion, offering patients who are struggling to get fit enough for bariatric surgery an opportunity to swallow a special gastric balloon that helps to suppress their appetite for the six months before their operation.

“Alongside this, as specialist nurses, Kirsty and I are able to monitor patients’ activity levels and help motivate them to keep up with physical activity and healthy eating during this time.

“We are the first NHS trust to have this prestigious accreditation, and Dr. Hutcher said he was really impressed, as many others are private providers.

“Our patients generally tell us that they’re really pleased, as they’ve got their life back and they’re able to do so much more than before, including remission of hypertension and diabetes.

“We want to say a huge thank you to all our colleagues who took part in the visit, and for the way they helped showcase the excellent work of our bariatric service.”

Professor Richard Welbourn, one of our consultant bariatric surgeons, says: “It is a huge honour to have this international accreditation, as it reflects the work we've done over the last 20 years, in setting up a leading unit in the UK for the treatment of patients with severe obesity seeking treatment.”

Dave Pulford from Yeovil is a patient who has been cared for by our bariatric surgery service over the last couple of years.

He says: “In February 2024, I had the new balloon fitted, and in the following months I lost almost five stone on the balloon, to then enable me to have gastric bypass surgery in August 2024. Since then, I have lost nearly 13 stone from my heaviest weight.

“The surgeons and support team at Musgrove provided me the tools of both the balloon and bypass surgery to get to this point, but what often gets overlooked is two other things…

“The support that the team provided me – whether that was the dietitians, bariatric nurses or the consultants – they were always supportive and listened to my thoughts, issues and successes along the journey.

“Secondly, the effort that I put in myself as this is a life-changing moment, and I feel that if it is not challenging, then it won’t change you. The team helped me realise that and change myself mentally as well.

“I was followed by the local news throughout this journey, and I have already seen how this has helped other people on their journeys, and I have kept in contact with a number of them.”

Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC, says: “We’re proud to recognise Musgrove Park Hospital for its commitment to advancing and providing quality care for all patients.

“This accreditation signals that this facility is among the best in this specialty and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible.”

About Surgical Review Corporation

Established in 2003, Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) is an internationally recognised, non-profit, patient safety organisation dedicated to recognising and refining surgical care. SRC accredits the top hospitals, surgeons and health professionals worldwide that meet proven standards. For more information, visit www.surgicalreview.org.

* American spelling of ‘centre’ as the organisation is based in the United States.