Fourteen elective surgical hubs have achieved accreditation as part of cohort 12 of the GIRFT hub accreditation scheme.
This brings the total number of hubs accredited to 83 since the scheme began in March 2023. GIRFT is running quarterly cohorts to accredit all 125 hubs currently in operation across the NHS in England.
The hub accreditation scheme enables trusts to seek formal assessment of their surgical hub sites against a defined set of criteria – and offers the recognition that they are meeting the highest standards of clinical and operational practice.
The 14 hubs achieving accreditation are:
- Essex and Suffolk Elective Orthopaedic Centre – East Suffolk and North Essex NHS FT
- Hinchingbrooke Hospital hub – North West Anglia NHS FT
- West Middlesex Elective Hub – Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS FT
- Warwick Hospital (paediatrics only) – South Warwickshire University NHS FT
- Princess Royal Hospital Elective Surgical Hub – The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- Withington Hospital – Manchester University NHS FT
- St Austell Surgical Hub – Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- Pontefract Hospital Elective Orthopaedic Centre – Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
- Bishop Auckland Elective Hub – County Durham and Darlington NHS FT
- Goole and District Hospital – Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS FT
- Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital – Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS FT
- Kent and Canterbury Hospital hub – East Kent Hospitals University NHS FT
- Hampshire Elective Orthopaedic Centre – Hampshire Hospitals NHS FT
- The Surrey Surgical Centre, Ashford Hospital – Ashford & St Peter’s Hospital NHS FT
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’ surgery with 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:
“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.”
