SOUTHAMPTON General and Princess Anne Hospitals are among 14 sites nationwide to be recognised for preventing fatal blood clots.

Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals, has been given special recognition for its thrombosis policy by the Department of Health.

New guidelines mean that every patient is now carefully assessed for their risk of developing blood clots and prevention measures are taken where necessary.

David Warwick consultant orthopaedic surgeon and lead clinician for thrombosis, said: “Our team has strived for excellence and we are so proud now to be awarded exemplar status.”