SP2.1.7 The Croydon Elective Centre - Surgical Hub supporting patient care and surgical training

Abstract

AimsNHSE/I and the RCS England have advocated that the separation of elective and surgical care is fundamental in recovering surgical services. It is suggested that the separation is physical and many Trusts are transforming pathways into elective and emergency hospitals. Croydon Hospital (CHS) have created an alternative, with ‘a Hospital within a Hospital’, separating these pathways within one estate, and considers whether this is a successful model for the future.MethodsThe day surgery unit on the ground floor was converted into an emergency centre with an ambulatory surgical hub, a hot clinic, clinical space, 4 emergency theatres and an USS room. The main theatre suite was converted into the Croydon Elective Centre (CEC) with a 12-bedded coronary catheter suite, a lift onto the second floor, 10 theatres, a 12 bedded children's day unit, Moorfields’ eye unit, a new canteen, an admissions unit as well as a 28-bedded elective ward with a new 4-bedded level 1.5 critical care unit.ResultsAt the end of wave 1, 3,068 patients awaited treatment, an increase of 30.44% of baseline activity with theatre activity at 28% of normal activity. Activity resumed to 100% within 6 weeks of CEC go live. 2/9,606 patients were Covid-19 positive in the first year. During wave 2, 60% of pre-Covid-19 activity continued. Currently, 2,098 patients await treatment.ConclusionThe implementation of a surgical hub has supported the treatment of patients as well as provided continuous training opportunities for surgical and anaesthetic trainees as well as the theatre team.