Comment on NHS Improvement Theatre Efficiency report

NHS Improvement have found up to an extra 300,000 operations could be carried out each year through the improved scheduling of operating lists. The RCS had early sight of NHS Improvement’s findings and is supportive, but there are wider challenges facing surgeons which prohibit an increase in the number of operations able to be performed.

Ian Eardley, council member of the Royal College of Surgeons’ said:

“The NHS is already one of the most efficient health services in the world, as academic experts have repeatedly made clear. However, every member of staff and patient can recite examples of waste, and increased efficiency is a never-ending battle for any large organisation.

“The Royal College of Surgeons is supportive of the findings of this report which highlight the opportunity to improve the scheduling of operating lists. The reasons for this will differ by hospital but need to be fully investigated by local staff.

“However, we must not underestimate the wider challenges hospitals face to increase the number of operations they perform. Bed capacity is severely constrained across the NHS with recent OECD statistics showing that the UK has the second lowest number of hospital beds for each 1,000 people in the whole of the EU. Such shortages mean time is wasted by NHS staff in freeing up beds instead of treating patients. This problem is compounded by workforce shortages.

“We look forward to working with NHS Improvement and the Government to address these wider issues, alongside supporting improvements to the management of operating lists.”

Further notes on bed capacity:

Today’s NHS Improvement report admits ‘clinicians and hospital administrators are under ever-increasing pressure from rising demand for elective surgery, the availability of beds and workforce challenges’ and ‘There is a widening mismatch between demands on the NHS and its available resources, including bed capacity, as demonstrated by the national deterioration in waiting lists.’
The NHS long-term plan warned that increased investment in community and primary care will not ‘necessarily reduce the need for hospital beds.’ (page 9)
The most recent data shows overnight hospital (general and acute) bed occupancy averaged 89.1% for July-September 2018.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.

For more information, please contact the RCS Press Office: 020 7869 6047/6041; e-mail: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; for out of hours media enquiries: 07966 486832.

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.

For more information, please contact the Press Office:

• Telephone: 020 7869 6047/6052
• Email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk
• Out of hours media enquiries: 07966 486832