Organised by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), the event took place at Churchill Hospital and saw nine endocrine procedures completed in under eight hours.

The surgeries, carried out by a specialist team, included two thyroid day‑case procedures – the first in a decade.

Shad Khan, consultant surgeon and clinical lead for endocrine surgery at OUH, said: “We delivered more than double the number of surgeries that would normally take place in the same timeframe.

“The success of the day demonstrated what can be achieved through strong teamwork and our shared commitment to delivering the highest quality care for our patients.

“It is a testament to the dedication and outstanding efforts of our teams, as well as the meticulous planning that went into the layout and logistics of the day.”

The ‘Super Surgery Day’ model aims to make use of weekend theatre capacity, reduce waiting times, and offer patients quicker treatment.

OUH described the latest event as running smoothly throughout.

The multidisciplinary team included surgeons, anaesthetists, anaesthetic nurses, a scrub team, and a consultant, supported by health support workers and administrative staff.

All patients received telephone consultations with their surgeon and anaesthetist during the week prior to surgery.

Lisa Glynn, director of clinical services at OUH, said: “We are committed to providing high‑quality care and reducing waiting times at OUH.

“The success of this ‘Super Surgery Day’ and the roll out of thyroid day case pathway, represents an impressive and important achievement.”

Speaking at the inquest for Natasha Maria Ryan, held at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, April 22, a representative of the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust promised they were considering how they can take a more active approach to engagement with patients.

Ms Ryan had suffered ongoing mental and physical health problems but struggled to secure treatment with the trust and Coroner Darren Salter said he was concerned by the organisation’s lack of engagement.

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The 25-year-old was found dead by police in her Oxford bedroom at just past 2.30pm on July 3, 2025.

Born in Wandsworth, she was last seen on the 28 June by her boyfriend who raised the alarm with the police.

Mr Hussein had met her on an online dating app and the last time they were together was at the cinema.

He said: “She was in pain; she felt her body was giving up on her however the services that were meant to help her did not.”

Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court (Image: NQ)

Police officers attended her house just after midnight and then came back later in the day when they forced entry.

After her discovery a toxicology assessment found Tramadol in her system, a prescription-only opioid painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Around 3,700 nanograms per millilitre was measured which does constitute an overdose but is not considered a particularly high one.

The medication was prescribed to Ms Ryan who suffered from fibromyalgia a chronic disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties.

Bury Knowle Health Centre where Dr Gregory Lloyd is based (Image: Google Maps)

Despite this, it could not be determined for certain that she had taken her own life.

Mr Salter said: “I do not think there is sufficient evidence that Natasha took an overdose with the intention of taking her own life.”

She had previously overdosed on paracetamol in October 2024 for which she had been taken to hospital but since then it was not thought she had expressed suicidal thoughts.

Indeed at an appointment in June 2025 – the month of her death – with specialist nurse Sophie O’Keefe she seemed positive and said she wanted to return to education. 

READ MORE: Coroner rules Oxfordshire man died of ‘amisulpride and cocaine toxicity’

As well as fibromyalgia, Ms Ryan suffered from an eating disorder and though she was referred by her GP Dr Gregory Lloyd to the Oxford Health Trust’s complex needs team, she struggled to make her appointments either cancelling or missing them which she said was due to her chronic pain.

At one point she was discharged back to her GP because of this lack of engagement.

At the assessment with Ms O’Keefe she refused to be weighed which may have made it difficult for her to be transferred to the complex needs service, which requires a BMI.

In any case, at that time the waiting period for referral to the service was 18 months.  That has now come down to half a year.

Craig Heigold, paramedic and service manager at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Image: NQ)

Craig Heigold, a service manager at the trust, spoke at the inquest including about a ‘huddle report’ conducted after Ms Ryan’s death with all those involved in her care.

“There have been learnings from this,” he pledged.

He said they are reviewing how they can take a more active approach to engagement with a report set to be published in August this year.

The coroner, Mr Salter, said the lack of active engagement with her by the trust was a source of concern but that he was satisfied that it was being looked into.

Her uncle Matteo Cocomazzi was present and described her as “warm” and that she loved drawing and creating small items such as jewellery.

He said: “She continues to live in my heart and in my thoughts; she was a woman of great worth.”

The money-saving expert says many travellers unknowingly make the wrong choice at cash machines and checkouts – one that hands control of the exchange rate to foreign banks or retailers.

It’s a quick tap most people don’t think twice about, but over the course of a trip, it can quietly add up.

According to Lewis, the fix is straightforward – and getting it right could make a noticeable difference to how much you spend while away.

The quick tap that can cost you

When paying or withdrawing cash abroad, you’re often asked whether you want to be charged in pounds or the local currency.

“When you go abroad and you pay on plastic and the overseas cash machine or shop asks you, do you want to pay in pounds or euros, what do you do?” he said.

“The correct answer is you should always pay in euros, or whatever the local currency is, because that means it’s your plastic that’s doing the exchange rate conversion, not the overseas shop or ATM.”

He added that even standard UK cards often still work out better overall than letting foreign machines set the rate themselves.

“Even a bog-standard UK credit or debit card… is beating most overseas ATMs or shops’ exchange rates,” he said, based on his testing.

His advice is simple: stick with the local currency every time, whether that is euros, dollars, or even dong when travelling further afield.

It might seem easier to pick pounds, but that’s where people go wrong.

Lewis says the rule is simple: always choose the local currency – whether that’s euros, dollars, or anything else.

By doing this, your own bank or card provider handles the conversion, which is typically more competitive than the rates offered by foreign ATMs or retailers.

Even standard UK debit or credit cards can outperform the exchange rates set by overseas machines, meaning that one small choice could save you money every time you use your card.

Why dynamic currency conversion adds up

The trap is known as “dynamic currency conversion.” It’s designed to feel convenient, showing you exactly what you’ll pay in pounds — but that clarity often comes at a cost.

The exchange rate used is usually less favourable, and extra fees can be baked in without being obvious.

While a single transaction might not seem like a big deal, repeated spending – meals, transport, shopping – can quickly add up over a holiday.

A spokesperson for travel experts Ski Vertigo added: “This is a mistake many travellers make without realising. The option to pay in pounds can seem like the easier or more familiar choice, but it often comes with a less favourable exchange rate and extra charges built in.

“Those small decisions each time you make a withdrawal may seem minor, but they can quietly add up across several days of spending.”

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Travel experts also warn that many people don’t check their card’s foreign usage fees before leaving the UK, which can further increase costs.

If you’re travelling abroad, the advice is straightforward: always pay in the local currency.

It might feel counterintuitive at first, but that one choice can help you avoid hidden charges and get a better deal throughout your trip.