The NHS trust that runs Nottingham's two major hospitals has reduced the number of patients waiting for more than 18 months for surgery. Nottingham University Hospitals ( NUH ), which operates Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, said the number of people waiting for a year and a half had fallen by 26 percent between January 15 and February 12.
People waiting for that period for operations including hip and knee replacements, hernia repairs and ear, nose and throat surgery, dropped from 803 to 591. It comes despite extreme pressures being faced by the NHS this winter, as well as the impact from nurse strike action.
Around 2,000 outpatient appointments and elective surgeries were rescheduled due to the latest industrial action over February 6 and 7. Clinical Lead for the Elective Pathway and Consultant Anaesthetist, Dr Adam Carney, said: “Despite the ongoing pressures, our staff are working incredibly hard to get people into hospital and treated as soon as possible.
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"They are, yet again, going above and beyond and I want to thank them for their ongoing efforts and flexibility. Behind the figures are people and we know how frustrating and difficult it is for those patients who have had to wait longer for their operation due to backlogs caused by the pandemic.
"Our staff will continue to focus their efforts on reducing waiting times and provide sufficient capacity to provide patients with timely care and clear our backlogs.” NUH said waits had been shortened due to progress such as:
- Staff in the ophthalmology team doubling the number of cataract operations.
Creating more surgical capacity with 80 additional operating lists focused solely on those patients who are waiting the longest.
Purchasing a third surgical robot, allowing more patients to have minimally invasive operations.
Using artificial intelligence to map out the patient pathway in greater detail.
A new surgical ward – the Jubilee Unit – opening at City Hospital earlier this month
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