Nottingham hospitals say they're on track to get waiting lists to under a year

Nottingham hospital leaders say they are on track to meet a target of no patients waiting longer than a year for planned surgery by early next year despite surging winter pressures.

Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, which runs Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre, says it hopes to protect waiting lists despite experiencing a increase in admissions.

Plans such as short-stay hip and knee replacements, and dual-operating theatres to speed up changeovers between patients have all been implemented to maximise operating theatre space and ensure efficient turnaround of procedures.

Ben Bloch, Consultant Hip and Knee Surgeon and Head of Service for Elective Orthopaedics, speaking at City Hospital yesterday (December 16) says the trust has made “big strides” on reducing waiting lists.

There are currently no patients waiting more 65 weeks for elective procedures, with Mr Bloch saying it is “on track” to meet NHS England’s target of no patients waiting more than 52 weeks for one by March 2025.

Since August 2023 around one in seven short-stay hip and knee surgeries were discharged on the same day- the majority within 24 hours.

In December 2022 and January 2023 NUH performed 77 elective operations, compared to 224 procedures in the most recent December to January period.

No elective procedures were cancelled in the last winter season due to seasonal pressures and Mr Bloch said NUH is “optimistic” it will stay the same this winter.

With the dual-operating theatres- meaning a surgeon can perform procedures across two theatres if one surgeon is unavailable- Mr Bloch said: “It’s important to maintain that activity, I think we can do it in a very safe way with excellent outcomes.”

He added: “I’d encourage all patients who are eligible to get their flu vaccines and Covid vaccines because it’s important to maintain all these pathways and to reduce the emergency pressures on the system here in acute hospitals.”

Michael Brown, 83, from Eastwood, had his knee replacement at City Hospital last Friday (December 13) after waiting six months- he was discharged yesterday (December 17).

On his thoughts around same-day release, he said: “Same day releases are going to be very dodgy- I certainly couldn’t do one.

“You’re in absolute agony- I don’t think it’s suitable to go home any quicker than the physiotherapists tell you that you are fit enough to go home.

“I’d much rather stay that bit longer and get that professional care.”

Shannon Clarke, 75, from Nottingham, had a total knee replacement in her right leg yesterday morning (December 16) after being on the waiting list around a year ago.

At the time, she was on track to leave the same day.

She said: “I’m just mainly worried about being able to manage the pain levels which I’ve been warned about and to keep up the exercises.”

Speaking of the prospect of returning home the same day, she said: “To have all the things I like around me will be great, I am looking forward to it.”

This time last year there were a number of patients who had waited more than two years for their planned procedures.

Almost 3,300 people are on the waiting list for planned orthopaedic surgery - nearly 2,500 are for hip and knee replacements.

NUH is experiencing a surge of winter pressures currently, with the Local Democracy Reporting Service reporting last week a number of wards were closed across the hospitals to keep flu and norovirus levels at bay.

As of Thursday, December 12, there were 105 patients across the two hospitals with the flu – an increase of 30 patients compared to the same day the week before.

Last week, norovirus levels in the hospitals were reported as in line with the national average increase- they were currently 27.4 per cent higher than the seasonal average.