A HEALTH trust is one of the first in the region to perform shoulder replacement surgery while patients are awake.

The surgery, at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, means patients can go home a few hours after their operation.

The pioneering nerve block procedure involves a local anaesthetic so patients are conscious the whole time.

Jean Burton, 84, from Seaton Carew, was the first patient to undergo the operation. She has various health issues which made her a high risk under general anaesthetic.

Speaking just ten minutes afterwards, she said: “I have had several operations under general anaesthetic and have been unable to talk or think clearly for at least a day and a half. But this time I feel wonderful. I have just finished in theatre and I feel great, it’s unbelievable.”

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Rajesh Nanda led the operation at the University Hospital of North Tees and said: “This helps any patient recover faster after surgery, leave hospital straight away and avoid side effects.”