Published on: 2 December 2025
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) has assessed the first patient in its new Urology Perioperative Care for Older People undergoing Surgery (POPS) clinic.
The Trust is one of just nine sites across the UK selected to take part in the NIHR-supported trial to integrate POPS into surgical services.
The clinic is designed to optimise outcomes for patients who need surgery because of a new diagnosis of bladder cancer, as well as having multiple medical conditions, dementia or frailty.
Dr Faye Wilson, Consultant Geriatrician and Principal Investigator, shared:
“Over the past 10 years we have established a very successful orthogeriatric service that has improved outcomes for older patients who have sustained a hip fracture.
“Integrating geriatric expertise into routine care in other surgical specialities is a logical next step. The Urology team have been enthusiastic and supportive partners in helping our team expand. We hope the trial proves successful so we can implement this permanently.”
Patients identified will receive a geriatric assessment, designed to identify and modify potential risk factors that could lead to complications, delays in discharge or hospital readmissions.
The POPS team will also be integrated into the Urology ward. This means they will be able to assess emergency patients too.
The trial will last six months and could be rolled out across all surgical specialties in the future if successful.
POPS services have already been shown to significantly reduce complications after an operation and shorten hospital stays, while improving overall patient experiences.
Mr Ken MacKenzie, Consultant Urologist and co-investigator, shared:
“After months of set up I'm incredibly excited to introduce POPS for planned and emergency Urology patients. I have experienced a well integrated POPS service while working in Australia and there was significant benefit for the patients.”
With an ageing population and increasing medical complexity, STSFT estimates that 20 - 30% of Urology patients meet the criteria for assessment.
In addition to reducing complications, delays in discharge and readmissions, the Geriatric team’s assessments will also work to minimise operation cancellations, enhance patient and family experiences and deliver a full evaluation for this high‑risk group of patients.
