Healthcare leaders and senior clinicians from across Derby and Derbyshire have contributed to a new video to explaining some of the challenges and plans to reduce surgical waiting lists, which have grown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The key message is that nobody will be missed out, as teams at the major hospitals work hard to prioritise the most urgent cases of people who are still awaiting surgery.
In January, 109,521 patients were waiting for treatment, which was a sharp increase from 62,899 in June 2019. NHS staff are continuing to strive to return to pre-pandemic levels as soon as possible.
Throughout the pandemic period, clinical teams at Derby and Derbyshire’s two biggest acute trusts have been continuously reviewing waiting lists to understand their current position and treatment wishes and prioritise those patients who require appointments, due to the severity of their condition or to limit the long-term impacts of further delays.
Unfortunately, patients who have been waiting a long time but who do not fall into these most urgent categories have seen their waits extend.
If symptoms are getting worse, patients can visit the Help Us to Help You section of our Joined Up Care Derbyshire website or can contact their Clinical Administration Officer for the Consultant who is looking after their care and let them know, as this may make a difference to when they are listed for surgery.
The video features:
- Professor Owen Judd, a consultant surgeon at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Sharon Martin, Chief Operating Officer at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Grace Pearce, Director of Allied Health Professionals at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Surgeon Kevin Sargen, Divisional Director of Surgical Services at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Angie Smithson, Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust