London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH), which provides services to the people of Harrow, Brent, and Ealing, is piloting ‘high intensity’ surgical lists to help reduce the backlog of patients that built up during the pandemic.
The trust operates Northwick Park Hospital, St Mark’s Hospital, Ealing Hospital, and Central Middlesex Hospital.
The first surgical list cleared 30 young patients with ear, nose, and throat conditions, with two theatres working back-to-back over a weekend. Patients are given two weeks’ notice and allowed home the same day. The lists focus on procedures with the least risk of complications.
Dr. Viv Sathianathan, LNWH Divisional Medical Director for Surgery, said: “Paedeatric ENT is one of the areas with the biggest backlogs with some patients having waited several years. We’re piloting several ‘high intensity’ lists in the hope that we can expand the initiative to included other types of surgery.”
Parents and children have responded positively to the service, saying the weekend lists help avoid children missing school, reduce childcare costs, and lead to better attendance rates as appointments are given at short notice.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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