How 18 Week Support aids the NHS in upholding national waiting time standards

The NHS has long served as a cherished national institution in the United Kingdom, continually adapting and evolving to meet the population’s diverse and changing health needs. But with the covid-19 pandemic and an unexpected surge in demand for healthcare services, our revered institution is grappling with an unprecedented challenge – clearing the patient backlog. This is a task of monumental proportions and one which cannot be solved by the NHS alone.

As of the end of May, an all-time high of 7.5 million people were awaiting routine hospital treatment in England. In addition, diagnostic waiting lists have swelled to almost 50 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels, standing at a lofty 1.6 million people. These numbers reflect a grim reality, one that is placing immense pressure on the bedrock of the nation’s health infrastructure.

However, we must not lose sight of the human element behind these staggering figures. Each number represents an individual, a family, a life temporarily on pause, their daily existence clouded by uncertainty and anxiety. Patients across the country are waiting anxiously for diagnoses and treatments, each day adding to their mental and physical strain.

With existing governmental targets seemingly elusive, it’s clear we need multiple, innovative, effective solutions. Solutions that not only address the immediate crisis but also build resilience for the future.

That’s where 18 Week Support can help. We are an insourced clinical service provider stepping up to offer much-needed support to the NHS during these challenging times. Our main aim is to assist NHS trusts in upholding the national waiting time standards. We’re committed to assembling adaptable, experienced clinical teams dedicated to significantly curbing waiting lists and bolstering the NHS’s ability to deliver prompt, efficient patient care.

Our philosophy intertwines tightly with the fundamental values upon which the NHS was built. This alignment with the foundational principles of the NHS is ingrained in our ethos and mirrors our commitment to preserve and enhance the NHS as an institution.

Charlie Chappatte, director of strategy at 18 Week Support, encapsulates our mission: “At 18 Week Support, we’re fundamentally rethinking traditional patterns of healthcare delivery. We can transform the healthcare landscape by deploying teams of dedicated doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals to work when there is spare capacity within an NHS trust, maximising the use of an NHS trust’s estate and equipment. This approach allows us to leverage untapped capacity and streamline patient care, reducing waiting times. Our dedicated teams often work during the quieter weekend hours, focusing on patient care and achieving increased throughput without compromising the high-quality care that the NHS is renowned for. This results in reduced patient backlog and an enhanced overall patient experience.”

Our impact, however, extends beyond reducing waiting lists. We’re instrumental in preserving the mental well-being of patients, an aspect often overlooked but incredibly vital. Long waits for treatment can breed a potent mix of uncertainty and anxiety. By accelerating the process, we can alleviate such concerns, improving patient satisfaction and overall well-being.

We’re committed to the fundamental principles that the NHS was built upon. We champion the ideal of equal service delivery, guaranteeing that access to healthcare services is based on clinical needs rather than an individual’s financial capacity. We’re dedicated to providing quality healthcare for all by enhancing access to the NHS, viewing this as a critical step in reducing health inequalities.

To summarise, 18 Week Support isn’t just about providing support to the NHS on a logistical level. We bring the same core values and principles of the NHS to our work, ensuring that our cherished national institution can continue to offer universally accessible, high-quality care for all in need.

Facing these numbers month after month can be daunting. 18 Week Support stand ready to make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals awaiting treatment.

18 Week Support is a valued partner in helping the NHS navigate the challenge of clearing the patient backlog. Our unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes and upholding the essential principles of the NHS resonates in all that we do. We’re here, standing side by side with the NHS, ready to face the challenges ahead, armed with our productivity, our quality-driven approach to healthcare delivery, and our deep-seated respect for the principles that make the NHS a revered institution.