Community Based Carpal Tunnel Service
Service Quality Performance Report
April 2025 – March 2026

Introduction

Our community based Carpal Tunnel Service is delivered by Dr Martin White, GPwER in minor surgery, who is mentored and supported by Mr John Harrison, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead.  The service is provided from Maryport Community Hospital, Carlisle Healthcare South and Keswick Hospital.

Patients are referred to the service by the MSK team or their GP Surgery.

Referrals to the service must meet the following evidence based criteria:

• Symptoms are severe and functional ability reduced
• Conservative measures such as the use of night splints, physio and injection have failed
• Positive nerve conduction studies
• Uncertain diagnosis

Patients are sent a comprehensive patient information leaflet on the procedure and directed to the CMS website for further information.

Waiting times

The average waiting time from referral to assessment is 4-6 weeks. All patients in this reporting period were assessed and treated within 18 weeks of referral.

Activity

446 patients were seen between April 2025 and March 2026 with 2 DNA’s.

Of those patients seen during 2025-2026, 262 went on to have Carpal Tunnel decompression performed by Dr Martin White.  63 of these patients had a bilateral procedure, 43 were procedures for Trigger Finger.

Of those that did not undergo any of the above:

51 patients were treated by injection.

12 patients were referred for nerve conduction studies.

2 patient was referred onto secondary care for further assessment.

24 patients discharged as asymptomatic.

Post-Operative Complications  

20 patients reported having a post-operative infection, which required antibiotics.

Safeguarding

There have been 0 safeguarding reports during this time period.

Duty of Candour

There have been no requirements to undertake duty of candour during this time period.

Patient Satisfaction

100% of patients were forwarded a link to Survey Monkey asking them to complete a patient satisfaction survey 12 weeks post op, questioning them on a range of subjects including the booking arrangements, scar satisfaction, effectiveness of local anaesthetic, clinic facilities, doctor and nurse manner, and overall satisfaction.

Patients are also given the opportunity to feedback on ‘iwantgreatcare’ and via our website www.cumbriamedicalservices.co.uk .

86 surveys have been completed to date. The following results were highlighted using whether the patient would recommend CMS to family and friends:

Patient comments included

• Very happy with the service everyone was lovely and made me feel at ease.
• Very pleased with treatment and results.
• First class service, wait time was very minimal and the outcome was fantastic.
• Everyone involved was lovely, the operation was quick and painless. I still have a bit of tenderness so continue to massage daily.
• Excellent, all the staff were friendly and put me at ease