Sheffield Children’s finalist for ‘Surgical Services Initiative of the year’

A surgery project at Sheffield Children’s Hospital which helps patients get home quicker is in the finals for a prestigious national award.

The project, which reduces the length of time day surgery patients are in hospital for, is a finalist for ‘Surgical Services Initiative of the Year’  in the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Value Awards.

The project changed the way day surgery works and means patients who are fit and well, and are coming in for a simple procedure, can go home direct from the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU) rather than returning to the theatre admissions unit (TAU) and being discharged from there.

The new process benefits all patients, not just those who are fit and well enough to take part. This is because staff on the theatre assessment unit now have to see less patients, creating a calmer environment and giving staff more time to care for patients with complex needs.

John Somers, Chief Executive of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Whatever the outcome of the awards, we are proud of the work achieved here Sheffield Children’s to help make the experience better for the patient, their family and our staff.

“We strive to make every experience as smooth as possible for the patient, and we are continuing to work across the organisation with initiatives just like this one for the benefit of the families we serve.”

The team will find out if they are successful at the award ceremony on the 23 May.