Four more elective surgical hubs have been awarded accreditation as part of a GIRFT scheme to ensure the highest standards in clinical and operational practice.
The hubs which exclusively perform planned surgery bring together the skills and expertise of staff under one roof, with protected facilities and theatres. They are helping to deliver shorter waits for surgery. 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.
The four newly accredited hubs are:
- Kidderminster Treatment Centre – Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (adult services)
- Freeman Hospital Treatment Centre – Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (adult services)
- Chorley & South Ribble Hospital Elective Surgical Hub – Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (paediatric services)
- Leigh Infirmary Elective Hub – Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (adult services)
There are around 105 hubs currently in operation. The GIRFT programme has accredited 40 hubs since the scheme began in March 2023 and plans to accredit all hubs over the coming 18 months.
The accreditation scheme, run in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 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. It also seeks to assure patients about the high standards of clinical care provided by the hubs.
Accreditation is not mandatory, but it offers hubs external recognition that they work to a defined set of clinical and operational standards. The scheme is being rolled out nationally, with quarterly cohorts to accredit all hubs over the next two years.
Surgical hubs, which are separated from emergency services, are part of plans nationally to increase capacity for elective care with more dedicated operating theatres and beds.
"GIRFT’s focus is on developing surgical hubs with the aim of improving patient flow so that patients have shorter waits for surgery, will be more likely to be able to go home on the same day, and have a better patient experience. We want to provide the 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.”
