Claire Dubowski, chief executive officer of 18 Week Support, highlights the impact of their collaboration with the North West Anglia FT in eliminating backlogs and enhancing patient care
The challenge of persistent waiting times
NHS trusts are navigating through an era of unprecedented challenges, with extended waiting times for patient care being a significant concern. This issue is not new; last year, the NHS faced the task of eliminating the backlog for people who had been waiting more than 78 weeks for treatment, spotlighting the need for effective solutions. 18 Week Support has emerged as a leader in this landscape, offering a viable solution to these persistent challenges.
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As we move forward, we aim to assist NHS trusts throughout England in reaching this year’s target of removing the 65-week wait, thereby alleviating the backlog for patients experiencing prolonged waits for care. At the time of writing this article, NHS England was in negotiation with ministers to formally extend this deadline from the end of March to the end of Summer 2024. According to the latest NHSE data, 98,374 patients were waiting more than 65 weeks for treatment (December Data).
18 Week Support has a proven track record in eliminating backlogs. This time last year, the North West Anglia Foundation Trust, faced with a limited workforce and a looming NHSE deadline to treat patients waiting more than 78 weeks, turned to 18 Week Support for assistance. With a focus on ear, nose and throat and ophthalmology services, where waits were longest, the partnership aimed to eliminate the 78-week wait backlog by the end of March.
This ambitious goal was met with a comprehensive strategy, where we implemented a full-pathway approach with highly qualified teams working weekends to conduct outpatient clinics, diagnostics, surgical pre-assessments and ensure surgeries within six weeks. The outcome was a testament to the effectiveness of insourcing, successfully clearing the backlog and setting a precedent for addressing similar challenges across other specialities.
The collaborative effort successfully treated 4,468 patients across ENT and ophthalmology services, eliminating the backlog of patients who had waited more than 78 weeks. Patient satisfaction with the service was high, with scores more than 99 per cent for quality of service and likelihood to recommend. Furthermore, this initiative developed in partnership with NWAFT has received recognition, being shortlisted as a finalist for the HSJ Partnership Awards 2024.
An agile and scalable solution
18 Week Support stands out with its agile and scalable solution, designed to enhance patient care without needing extra agency support. Utilising often-empty rooms on weekends, our approach maximises efficiency and resource use. Tailored to fit any of the 17 specialities we offer across referral to treatment, diagnostic and cancer pathways, our model ensures healthcare trusts can address waiting times effectively and within budget. This cost-effective approach meets the immediate needs of NHS trusts and sets a new standard in healthcare delivery, proving that quality care can be accessible and affordable.
Our partnerships extend beyond the reduction in waiting times. For patients, it means receiving timely care, which reduces stress and prevents the escalation of health issues. Clinicians benefit from working within a high-performing team, enhancing their skills, and expanding their professional networks. Our NHS partners see the financial benefits, with services provided below tariff, contributing to additional revenue – an essential consideration in the current healthcare funding landscape.
As the NHS faces ongoing challenges in managing patient backlogs, 18 Week Support is the clear partner of choice for NHS trusts committed to enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. Our agile and scalable solutions underpin our demonstrated success in significantly reducing waiting times and are codesigned by the clinical leadership from both 18 Week Support and partner trust to meet the specific needs of each NHS trust we work with.
By optimising the use of underutilised spaces during weekends and offering tailored services across an extensive range of specialities, we ensure a cost-effective approach to backlog clearance and uphold the highest standards of patient care. In choosing 18 Week Support as your partner, NHS trusts can confidently move towards meeting and exceeding their patient care targets, thereby creating a more resilient NHS for the future.
