Trust ‘truly sorry’ as operation delays of up five years branded ‘simply wrong’

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson spoke out after raising the case of a local constituent waiting on a hip replacement.

Ms. Anderson said: “When I raised the case with the local health trust I was informed that the waiting time for routine total hip replacement operations is 248 weeks.

“That is incredible. It equates to nearly five years and while we all understand the pressures on the health service and budget due to COVID-19, such a waiting time is simply unacceptable.

“Many of those waiting for hip operations are older and more vulnerable people. Often, they cannot afford to pay for private procedures and they should not be forced to endure such an intolerable wait for the surgery they require.”

The Western Trust said it ‘deeply regretted’ and was ‘truly sorry’ any patient was having to wait longer than they should for treatment.

A spokesperson said: “We are currently working on plans which will see Altnagelvin Hospital become one of the designated hub sites for Orthopaedic procedures as part of the ‘Rebuilding, Transition and Transformation of Elective Orthopaedic Care’. We are moving to implement these changes as quickly as possible to address the adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on elective care waiting times and to enable the HSC to have in place dedicated regional treatment centres ahead of potential further waves of the pandemic.

“This will allow the HSC to maintain robust infection control preventative measures at these dedicated sites to enable procedures to continue during any future outbreaks of Covid-19. While we cannot guarantee that this can be achieved under all circumstances the Western Trust will ensure delivery of elective orthopaedic services is prioritised.

“In addition, with the appointment of two new consultant surgeons and other nursing and AHP staff this will allow an increase in service provision using these new facilities at North Wing to help meet the demand.”

Challenging Health Minister Robin Swann to take urgent action, Ms Anderson said: “Our health service has been going through an unprecedented pressure and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the healthcare heroes who have been on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19. However, the Health Minister Robin Swann still has a responsibility to ensure vital services continue, particularly for the most vulnerable. I will be raising this issue directly with him and making it clear that a wait of 248 weeks for crucial operations is simply wrong and needs to be redressed.”

A spokesperson for Minister Swann’s Department responded: “There is no quick fix for addressing waiting times, it is a complex issue that requires both time and additional long-term funding.

“The Minister launched the Strategic Framework for Rebuilding Health and Social Care (HSC) Services on June 9, under which Trusts published their Phase 2 Rebuilding Plans on July 10. The key aim will be to incrementally increase HSC service capacity as quickly as possible across all programmes of care, within the prevailing COVID-19 conditions. Subsequent phases will see these service activity plans and targets updated in three monthly cycles.

“Following a pause in most elective orthopaedic services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister recently announced plans to focus elective orthopaedics initially at two hub sites at Musgrave Park Hospital and Altnagelvin Area Hospital, with the primary aim of ensuring that patients across NI have access to high quality orthopaedic services, with the shortest time waiting, within available resources.

“To oversee the development of this model, a clinically led Regional Network is being established, which will be tasked with the regional planning and commissioning of the service across NI. The key aim is to move towards a system where patients have the opportunity to move around the region as they wish to avail of the quickest and highest quality service that can be provided.”