Eleven more elective surgical hubs in England have achieved accreditation as part of cohort 13 of the GIRFT hub accreditation scheme.
This brings the current number of hubs accredited nationally to 92. GIRFT is running quarterly cohorts to accredit all 128 hubs currently in operation across the NHS in England.
The hub accreditation scheme began in March 2023, enabling trusts to seek formal assessment of their surgical hub sites against a defined set of criteria. It offers the recognition that they are meeting the highest standards of clinical and operational practice.
The 11 hubs achieving accreditation or reaccreditation in cohort 13 are:
- Hertfordshire and West Essex Surgical Centre, St Albans – West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Birmingham Treatment Centre, City Health Campus – Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust
- George Eliot Hospital Elective Surgical Hub – George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
- Ilkeston Community Hospital Elective Surgical Hub – University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Leicester General Hospital Elective Surgical Hub – University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
- Shrewsbury and Telford Cataract Suite – The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- Scunthorpe Surgical Elective Hub (adult and paediatric) – North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
- Prince Charles Eye Unit, Windsor – Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Sussex Surgical Centre, Eastbourne – East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Royal Eye Infirmary, Plymouth – University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Bigbury Orthopaedic Elective Surgical Hub – University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
The hub accreditation scheme, run in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons and supported by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, assesses hubs against a framework of standards to help hubs deliver faster access to some of the most common surgical procedures such as cataract surgeries and hip replacements.
Hubs focus on high volume, low complexity (HVLC) surgery, with a particular emphasis on ophthalmology, general surgery, trauma and orthopaedics (including spinal surgery), gynaecology, ear nose and throat, and urology. Some hubs also provide paediatric surgery.
The hubs, which are separated from hospital emergency services, are part of plans nationally to increase capacity for elective care. They enable shorter waiting times, higher rates of same-day discharge and reduced need for follow up treatment. The hub beds are designated for patients waiting for planned surgical procedures, and are protected from emergency admissions, reducing the risk of short-notice cancellations.
Professor Tim Briggs, GIRFT programme lead and NHS England’s National Director for Clinical Improvement and Elective Recovery, said:
“Surgical hubs are improving patient flow so that patients have shorter waits for surgery, are more likely to go home on the same day and have a better patient experience.
This accreditation scheme provides assurance for patients and staff that these sites are delivering safe and high-quality care now and will continue to accelerate their progress and productivity in the future.”
