Healthcare firm JRI establishes first UK Centre of Excellence for joint replacement in Hull

JRI Orthopaedics, the Sheffield-based healthcare company, has worked alongside Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust to establish its first UK Centre of Excellence for joint replacement.

Launched at Castle Hill Hospital, The Hull and East Yorkshire Regional Arthroplasty Centre (HEYRAC) will specialise in clinical research, sharing of best practice and the development of new hip replacement products and surgical techniques.

Mr Chris Shaw, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and medical director for the Surgery Health Group at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The Trust already has a strong reputation for arthroplasty, providing a local and regional service for patients with complex hip and knee conditions, including revision surgery.

“We have led the way by performing the UK’s first day case hip and knee replacements last year.

“Around 1,000 hip and knee replacements are carried out by our orthopaedic surgeons in Hull each year, and this kind of surgery really can transform patients’ lives.

“By partnering with JRI Orthopaedics through the new Regional Arthroplasty Centre, we hope to engage our patients in some really pioneering clinical research, attract more trainee surgeons to the region, and showcase some of the fantastic work which already goes on here to both national and international audiences.”

HEYRAC is affiliated to the academic department of orthopaedics, with a professorial chair appointed by the University of Hull’s Biomechanics Department. It is set to become a research hub with JRI Orthopaedics funding a new Fellowship post.

Jerry Agass, operating director at JRI Orthopaedics, commented: “The team of world class orthopaedic surgeons in Hull already has a strong reputation for clinical excellence, for innovation and excellence in patient care.

“We are delighted to be partnering with them. We wanted to create a recognized Centre of Excellence in the UK which will focus on clinical evaluation, research and knowledge sharing for the further development and improvement of JRI’s hip portfolio.

“It will also give Hull a global platform on which they can demonstrate their excellent clinical results and advanced surgical techniques.”

JRI Orthopaedics, which employs 105 people, specialises in the design, development and manufacture of orthopaedic implants and surgical instruments.

Mr Agass added: “The new Fellowship we are funding will enable an expanding national and international surgeon visitor and training programme. It will also facilitate greater clinical data evaluation and should provide a magnet for some of the biggest names in orthopaedics.”

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