Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) has published a framework document, aimed at clinicians and managers in NHS trusts, describing the scope of work needed to build high quality and robust urology services for the COVID-19 era.

The framework has been developed by the GIRFT Clinical Leads for urology Kieran O’Flynn and John McGrath, consultant urologists at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital NHS Foundation Trust respectively, alongside Simon Harrison, author of the GIRFT national report on urology and former consultant urologist at Pinderfields Hospital

The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the delivery of elective surgical care, with a 50% reduction in normal activity levels at the height of the pandemic. The framework acknowledges that the way care is provided will need to be different for the foreseeable future and draws on work undertaken by the NHS in London to transform urology services.

The document sets out existing examples of innovative practices and guidance, as well as a self-assessment tool which NHS trusts can use to monitor their own progress and plan their work.