Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) is a three star orthopaedic hospital, providing routine and specialist orthopaedic and rheumatological services to the people of Oxfordshire. Specialist services, such as the treatment of Osteomyelitis and bone tumours, and the rehabilitation of those with limb amputation or congenital deficiency, and those with neurological disabilities are provided for patients from across the UK and abroad.

History
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre is internationally famous for its work in a range of important services and attracts patients from a wide area. It began in 1871 as the Wingfield Convalescent Centre. During the First World War it was a military hospital and was expanded by building a fresh air annexe of wooden buildings.

By 1929 the Wingfield Morris Hospital badly needed rebuilding and Lord Nuffield, then Sir William Morris, donated £70,000 to build new nurses' quarters, seven new wards and a massage department. In 1936 Lord Nuffield announced his gift to Oxford Medical School which created five clinical chairs, and Professor G R Girdlestone became the first Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1938.

During the Second World War the hospital was controlled by the War Office. In 1948 it was designated as a regional orthopaedic centre and in 1956 it was re-named the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

From the 1st April 1991 the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre has been an NHS Trust Hospital.

Research
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust is a member of the Oxford Research and Development Consortium. The research activities within the consortium are divided into fifteen collaborative research groups (CRGs). The NOC belongs to the musculo-skeletal group, which covers research activities in the fields of orthopaedics, rheumatology, metabolic medicine, neurological and functional rehabilitation and physiotherapy and have close links and collaboration with the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University.

The surgeons and physicians who work at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre are among the world's leading experts in their field. They are heavily focused on the development and improvement of clinical practice, surgical technology and clinical practice.

Information Technology
Nuffield was the pilot site for the £6.2bn centrally funded NHS IT programme in the South of England in 2005-2006, however problems with the software caused problems including increased waiting lists.