Mount Vernon surgical hub gains accreditation from NHS England
Patients who elect to have their surgery or procedure at Mount Vernon Hospital receive such good care that the department has been designated an accredited surgical hub by NHS England (NHSE).
Following a rigorous inspection by a team from NHSE on October 12, 2023, the service at the hospital in Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, has joined the ranks of surgical hubs demonstrating ‘the highest 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 them deliver faster access to some of the most common surgical procedures such as cataract surgeries and hip replacements.
The hubs exclusively perform planned surgery and mainly focus on high volume, low complexity (HVLC) surgery across various specialties including ophthalmology, general surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology, ear nose and throat, and urology.
Claire Sheppard, interim divisional director for planned care for the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the inspection was very thorough, covering every aspect of the patient pathway from preoperative care through to surgery and rehabilitation post discharge.
“The entire multi-disciplinary team; surgeons, anaesthetists, therapists, nursing and administrative staff all play their part in the patient journey.”
“It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole team.”
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.
Claire Sheppard said: “The team will continue to work collaboratively to improve services ensuring delivery of the highest standards of care.”