The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s Elective Surgical Hub has been successfully accredited for delivering high standards in clinical and operational practice as part of a national assessment scheme.

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 surgical 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 Elective Surgical Hub at Russells Hall Hospital is one of 63 hubs to date that have been accredited. There are 123 hub sites currently in operation in England with a further nine hubs planned to open by the end of 2026. The accreditation scheme has been running since March 2023 with quarterly cohorts to accredit all hubs by the end of 2026. While it is not mandatory for trusts to seek accreditation, the long-term goal is for every elective hub to be accredited.

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 Elective Surgical Hub has been accredited in 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

Professor Tim Briggs, GIRFT programme lead 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.”

Diane Wake, group chief executive at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Achieving this accreditation is a significant milestone for our Trust and for the Elective Surgical Hub. It reflects the team’s dedication to delivering high-quality care and continually improving patient outcomes. My congratulations go out to everyone involved.”