Reducing Health Inequalities and Improving Patient Safety

This World Patient Safety Day, we at St Hugh’s Hospital are confirming our commitment to safer, fairer, and more reliable healthcare by shining a light on one of our safety improvement priorities.

Too often in the past, operations have been cancelled on the day of surgery because patients were not fit enough. Conditions such as unmanaged diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking related complications can make surgery unsafe and delay care.  Delays in identifying these things before the day of surgery compromises patient safety, but it also negatively affects their experience of our services and best use of our time and resources.

This new, proactive approach of commencing pre-assessment on the same day as consultation, and prior to issuing a date for surgery, offers us the opportunity to support patients to improve their fitness, nutrition, and condition before their procedure. This approach reduces the likelihood of their surgery being cancelled on the day as well as complications during surgery and recovery. Preparing patients to be in the best possible health means operations can go ahead safely at the right time.  We know that safe care starts long before a patient enters the theatre. That’s why we’re working closely with local partners; GPs, pharmacies, social prescribers, and community health teams. Making it easier for patients to access the right support as early as possible.

Through programmes such as Thrive – Community health and wellbeing – Centre4, patients aged 18 to 75 who live with long-term conditions including asthma, diabetes, COPD, hypertension, epilepsy, and more, can access tailored advice and support. By reaching into the community and working together with our health partners in this way, we are supporting the reduction of health inequalities and improving access to health in our local community.

Health optimisation is not just about reducing risks; it’s about empowering patients. By supporting people to prepare for their procedures, we help them feel more confident, improve their recovery, and take a stronger role in their own care.

Sarah Grantham, Head of Outpatients and Cosmetic Lead said, “Safer care begins long before a patient enters the theatre. By working closely with our community partners, we’re helping patients to be in the best possible health for their procedures reducing risks and improving outcomes.

Every same-day cancellation avoided is a safer patient journey and a stronger use of our resources and those of the NHS. Our health optimisation programme prioritises the wellbeing of the patient.”

The impact of this initiative so far has resulted in a significant reduction in same-day cancellations.  

World Patient Safety Day reminds us that safe healthcare is equal, accessible healthcare. By joining up across the community, supporting patients to take charge of their health, and reducing the risk of complications, we are making care safer, more effective, and more equitable for all.