This website uses cookies

We use essential cookies to make this website work. Additional cookies help us to make improvements (analytics) or are set when we incorporate functionality from other websites, such as video, social media feeds and ReachDeck (text-to-speech and translations). More on how we use cookies

Set preferences

This site is best viewed with a modern browser. You appear to be using an old version of Internet Explorer.

Surgical hub at NOC wins recognition for meeting top clinical and operational standards

03/12/2024
The Surgical Hub at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC), part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), has been successfully accredited as an elective surgical hub delivering high standards in clinical and operational practice.  

The scheme, run by NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of England, assesses hubs against a framework of standards to help hubs deliver faster access to some of the most common surgical procedures such as cataract surgeries and hip replacements. It also seeks to assure patients about the high standards of clinical care.
 
Surgical hubs, which are separated from emergency services, are part of plans nationally to increase capacity for elective care with more dedicated operating theatres and beds. 

The hubs exclusively perform planned surgery and mainly focus on high volume, low complexity (HVLC) surgery across six specialties - ophthalmology, general surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology, ear nose and throat, and urology. 

Hubs bring together the skills and expertise of staff under one roof, with protected facilities and theatres, helping to deliver shorter waits for surgery.  Because they are separated from emergency services, their surgical beds can be kept free for patients waiting for planned operations, reducing the risk of short-notice cancellations.

The NOC's Surgical Hub was recently visited and assessed by the GIRFT team for accreditation and recognition that the hub is working to a defined set of clinical and operational standards on:

- The patient pathway
- Staff and training
- Clinical governance and outcomes
- Facilities and ring-fencing
- Utilisation and productivity.

The NOC's Surgical Hub is one of 44 hubs to date that have been accredited.  There are 110 hub sites currently in operation in England and the scheme is being rolled out nationally with quarterly cohorts to accredit all hubs over the next 18 months. While it is not mandatory for trusts to seek accreditation, the long-term goal is for every elective hub to be accredited.   

Professor Andy Price, Clinical Director for Trauma and Orthopaedics at OUH, said: "This is fantastic news and indicative of the focus our teams have on delivering excellent care and making sure our patients have a high-quality, safe, and efficient experience when they are with us.

"This accreditation is a visible marker of high standards and recognises excellence – we're incredible pleased to receive this."

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, Chief Operating Officer at OUH, said: "A huge congratulations to all involved in achieving this accreditation. Patient safety and their overall experience is of paramount importance to us here at OUH, and this accreditation is further evidence of our NOC teams delivering this. This accreditation allows us to tackle long waits for surgery, making sure that people are treated more quickly and are on the mend as soon as possible."

Professor Tim Briggs, Chair of GIRFT and NHS England's National Director for Clinical Improvement and Elective Recovery, said: "We have been impressed with the professionalism and enthusiasm of the hub teams who are delivering outstanding care. 

"All of the sites we accredited are focused on delivering safe and high-quality care, and an excellent patient experience.  GIRFT’s focus is on developing surgical hubs with the aim of improving patient flow so that patients have shorter waits for surgery and, for some procedures, will be more likely to be able to go home on the same day."
 

In this section