PAGERS are being used to relieve anxiety for patients coming round after surgery at Airedale Hospital. The theatre team is offering the devices to relatives so they can be alerted and at their loved one’s bedside quickly. Karen Taylor, clinical governance manager in theatres at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says previously it has not always been easy to locate relatives in the hospital complex. “They might have gone off for a break and it was difficult for staff to leave the ward to find them,” she said. “Now that we have the pagers, family can be contacted and come immediately.

“When the pager bleeps, the relatives know the surgery has finished and they can head to theatre recovery straightaway. “For patients, it can be disorientating and an anxious time when they wake-up after surgery. They are taken to the recovery room, where they can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour being monitored closely by theatre staff.

“Now family can be there for their loved one as soon as the person comes round to provide support if needed.”