Evening and weekend ops plan to catch up
OPERATING theatres at hospitals across Bristol will open at weekends and in the evenings this summer as the NHS tackles a backlog of cases in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The NHS across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Care Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) area say they will be “pulling out all the stops” to treat patients who have had to wait longer than usual for treatment.
Across the first and second waves of Covid-19, many non-urgent operations were postponed to prioritise the most urgent cases and maintain standards of infection control.
As part of the national elective accelerator programme, NHS organisations across the area are working together to tackle the backlog. A series of innovations will be deployed to keep people well before and after surgery and maximise the time of clinical teams, including carrying out surgery at weekends and in the evenings.
There is also a big focus on minimising the amount of time people spend recovering in hospital, with more rehabilitation to support individuals in their own homes.
Integrated post-operative care and rehabilitation will be provided by hospital and community clinicians.
Those with the greatest clinical need will be prioritised while ensuring that patients continuing to wait receive regular support and information.
As part of the drive, GPs will hold video consultations with those waiting for surgery to ensure they are in the best possible condition for surgery.
The consultations will include support to help patients lose weight and stop smoking as well as checking what medications they are on.
Staff from different organisations will join forces on multi-disciplinary teams to plan together around the needs of each person.
More online outpatient appointments will take place, with 30 per cent already carried out in this way.
The Hospital at Home service – in which individuals recover from surgery on a “virtual ward” in their own home – will also be expanded.
Patients will receive regular visits from specialist nurses and therapists and, in time, have virtual consultations with doctors.
New smartphone apps will also be developed, allowing patients to access advice on managing conditions, with access to services when people need them.
Evelyn Barker, deputy chief executive at North Bristol NHS Trust and system lead for the BNSSG accelerator programme, said: “Sadly the pandemic has meant many people waiting much longer for planned treatment.
“However, we have also learned a lot, and colleagues across our area are embracing innovative and creative ways to recover services as quickly as possible. This is a huge task and will take time.
“But we are pulling out all the stops to treat more patients whilst ensuring the wellbeing of our dedicated staff.”
Cathy Daffada, who is leading the work for community provider Sirona care & health, said: “Working together, we will ensure care is wrapped around the individual to keep them safe at home and help them achieve their goals.
“We are also really excited to have an innovative digital solution to support people’s journey through the different services from hospital to community.
“This improved communication for clinicians will have a positive effect for individuals as they will only need to tell their story once.”