Evaluation of NHS fast-track surgical hubs
During the COVID-19 pandemic the NHS in London adapted to make sure that patient services were maintained. For surgery, a number of fast-track surgical hubs were created to boost the amount of planned surgery that could be carried out across London
- Have you, or someone you care for, had planned surgery in London within the three months?
- Or are currently on the waiting list?
- Was the surgery related to any of the following specialties: Urology, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, General Surgery or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)?
If you’ve answered ‘Yes’ to both the above, then the NHS want to hear from you!
Background: Fast-track surgical hubs
During the COVID-19 pandemic the NHS in London quickly adapted to make sure that patient services were maintained. For surgery, a number of fast-track surgical hubs
were created to boost the amount of planned surgery that could be carried out across London.
The hubs cover twenty-nine types of high-volume, planned operations – including cataract removal, hysterectomies and hip and knee replacements. The aim is to reduce the number of patients waiting for surgery and to improve access and quality of care.
By carrying out large numbers of the same procedure every day, NHS clinicians are able to ensure patients get the best possible results by streamlining processes and
standardising care.
This new model is considered most suitable for low dependency patients – e.g. those
who are fully mobile and have no unmanaged or serious conditions.
What is this project about?
The Health Innovation Network is working with the NHS in London to review the fast-track surgical hubs. As part of this we are speaking to patients and staff, including those who are waiting for or who have recently received treatment.
We are looking to speak to people who are on the waiting list for, or who have had planned surgery in the last three months, or who take care of an adult who has had, or is waiting for, planned surgery. We are interested in hearing from those where the surgery is related to any of the following specialties:
Urology, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, General Surgery or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) – please download the pdf document below to see the list for the details of the procedures we are particularly interested in.
We want to understand patients’ experiences of receiving treatment by talking to them about their experiences of surgery, but also their experiences of care before and after surgery. By doing so, we hope to identify a number of solutions to improve patient experience at the hubs. This will help to ensure we are better able to deliver appropriate and effective services.
What does taking part involve?
We would like to speak to you about your opinions on how NHS surgical services work now and how they might work in the future. This will involve: A telephone or video call lasting around 45 minutes to find about your recent experiences of NHS surgical services.
You will be given a £15 thank you payment for participating in an interview. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time. Choosing to participate (or not) will have no impact on the care you receive.
The feedback you share will help inform the NHS and shape the development of these services to improve experiences for patients in the future.
How do I find out more?
If you are interested in participating, or would like more information, please contact Camille Aznar on Camille.aznar@nhs.net or 07775548904 (hours Mon-Fri 10:00 – 16:00, outside this time please leave a voicemail).
An interpreter can be provided if required.
Please note that we are trying to speak to a diverse group of people, and therefore we may not be able to speak to everyone who expresses an interest in taking part.
Thank you for your time!
Downloads
Evaluation of surgical hubs
