The introduction of the 18-week wait initiative

Abstract

The 18-week wait initiative (18WWI) was introduced in December 2008 with the aim of reducing the waiting times of patients referred by their GPs and being seen and treated in secondary care. The aim of the study was to assess whether there had been a change in the way patients were managed in the outpatient clinic as a result of this and whether any service changes were necessary. This is a retrospective service evaluation comparing the outcome of new patients seen in otolaryngology clinics both before and after the introduction of the 18WWI. The wait in time between GP referral and outpatient visit is less following the introduction of the 18WWI. Following the 18-week wait introduction the number of new patients attending outpatient clinics increased, whereas the number of patients listed for an operation fell. There appears to be a shift in the need for more outpatient appointment slots with a possible reduction in the need for operating theatre time. If this trend continues and is translated across departments it will impact on the service that needs providing.