Somerset NHS Cuts Waiting Times by Up to Four Months for Patients in Deprived Areas

Patients in deprived areas of Somerset are now waiting up to four months less for elective hospital treatments, thanks to a new prioritisation system implemented by the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This initiative aligns with the Labour government’s ten-year health plan, which aims for 92% of patients to receive routine operations within 18 weeks.

At Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, patients who meet specific vulnerability criteria are being treated three to four months earlier than before the introduction of this “scoring system.” The trust plans to extend this system soon to Yeovil Hospital to further reduce waiting lists.

The scoring system identifies vulnerable patients who should be prioritised on the elective waiting list to reduce stress and prevent additional health complications. Points are assigned based on factors such as learning disabilities, being looked after by social services, age (under two years), open mental health referrals, and living in areas of high social deprivation.

For example, a patient with a learning disability or a child in foster care scores three points, qualifying them for expedited treatment. Patients with three or more points are flagged as urgent and receive priority in outpatient appointments or surgical scheduling, depending on capacity.

Stephen Rosser, interim associate director for planned care at the Somerset NHS Integrated Care Board, highlighted the benefits: “Patients scoring three or more are being seen three to four months earlier than they previously would have been.” For those with learning difficulties, the trust’s liaison team provides additional support to ensure they attend their appointments.

Musgrove Park and Yeovil Hospitals together complete approximately 75% of elective operations within the Somerset area. The remainder are managed by hospitals in Devon, Bristol, Bath, and private providers offering NHS services.

Currently, around 53,874 patients remain on the waiting list for elective care within the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, with nearly 9.4% (5,080 patients) coming from the county’s most deprived areas.

To further support patients from these areas, the trust has implemented a safety netting process that involves sending letters at intervals based on waiting times. These letters prompt patients to report any worsening conditions or urgent needs that might not have been initially identified. Typically, 250 to 300 letters are sent monthly, with about 50 responses received, enabling timely intervention and reducing health risks during the wait.

This focused approach to prioritisation and proactive patient engagement is crucial in addressing health inequalities while aiming to meet NHS waiting time targets across Somerset.