One year after opening in March 2025, the Hand Surgery Unit (UCM) at Clinique Les Orchidées, a facility belonging to the CLINIFUTUR Healthcare Group, has issued its first activity report and is now an integral part of the hand trauma care system in Réunion.
Established to provide a specialised and rapid response to hand and wrist injuries, the Hand Surgery Unit is part of a public health strategy: to improve assessment times, minimise the risk of functional sequelae and help relieve pressure on general A&E departments.
A key challenge: not to trivialise hand injuries
Any wound or fracture of the hand should be treated as potentially serious until proven otherwise. Early specialist assessment is crucial for preserving function and preventing complications. In a context where A&E departments are under significant pressure, the establishment of a dedicated pathway enables :
- Rapid referral via the Non-Routine Care service,
- Assessment by A&E trauma doctors,
- Direct access to specialist orthopaedic surgeons,
- Dedicated operating slots where necessary.
This organisation facilitates a smooth and coordinated pathway, in collaboration with community healthcare professionals.
Review of the first 12 months of operation (March 2025 – March 2026)
Since it opened, the Hand Surgery Unit has achieved :
- 700 surgical procedures performed
- 90% of patients referred directly by GPs or healthcare centres
- 100% of patients undergoing surgery treated without additional charges
- Most procedures carried out on an outpatient basis
These initial results demonstrate the value of a structured and coordinated organisation serving the people of Réunion.
Open without appointment from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, the Hand Surgery Unit works in close collaboration with:
- The Emergency Department at Les Orchidées Clinic,
- General practitioners,
- Private healthcare professionals (specialist consultations via Omnidoc),
- Hospitals where necessary.
This coordination ensures a smooth and safe patient journey, in collaboration with all healthcare providers in the region.
The team at the Hand Surgery Unit emphasises:
“Within a year, the hand surgery unit has gradually established itself as a key local resource. Patients are already coming from all corners of the island, proving that there was a real need for specialist care for hand injuries in Réunion. Today, these patients can receive prompt treatment locally.
Alon donn la main.”
Dr Mathieu GIRARD, Orthopaedic Surgeon – Hand Surgeon
Dr Pascal BOIREAU, Orthopaedic Surgeon – Hand Surgeon
Dr Alexis GUILLAUME, Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Specialist
Dr Yannick JEANNE, Emergency Care
Dr Daniel MORAIS, Emergency Care
Beyond its anniversary, the Hand Surgery Unit is part of the ongoing development of local specialist healthcare services and contributes to a structured approach to the management of hand injuries in Réunion.
