The British government has announced a significant investment in elective activity, surgical hubs, and diagnostics to address the growing issue of lengthy wait times for patients in need of care. The announcement comes at a critical time for the National Health Service (NHS), which has been described by Lord Darzi as being in “critical condition”.
The investment, set to take place on Monday 28 October, 2024, is a vital step towards addressing the concerns of the 7.6 million patients currently waiting for care. The success of surgical hubs has been proven, but effective implementation will require sufficient staffing capacity, robust administrative systems, and effective care navigation.
In order to achieve the government’s targets, it is crucial that surgical hubs are located across the country, particularly in areas of high deprivation, and are easily accessible by public transport. Clear communication and coordination between patients, local hospitals, and surgical hubs will also be essential to ensure patients understand their care journey.
Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, welcomes the investment as a first step towards tackling the enormous waiting lists that patients are facing. However, she notes that the upcoming winter season may present additional challenges for both patients and front-line staff. She emphasizes the importance of strong administrative support, clear communication with patients throughout their care journey, and genuine partnership working between patients and communities.
While the focus on new equipment and capacity is crucial, the success of this investment will also depend on support for the hardworking NHS workforce who will be responsible for delivering these additional appointments. Power stresses that getting these fundamentals right alongside the investment will be crucial in seeing the real impact of the much-needed resources.
The Patients Association is an independent patient charity that campaigns for improvements in health and social care for patients. They believe that patients should be actively involved in decisions made about their care and in the design of the health and care system. As an independent charity, they provide information and support to patients through their helpline and information services, enabling them to advocate for themselves.
In conclusion, the British government’s investment in elective activity, surgical hubs, and diagnostics is a crucial step towards addressing the growing issue of lengthy wait times for patients in need of care. However, the success of this investment will depend on strong administrative support, clear communication with patients, and genuine partnership working with communities. The Patients Association welcomes this investment and continues to advocate for improvements in health and social care for patients.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.