Patients' views sought on elective care services

Patients are being asked to help shape health services as the NHS explores ideas to boost planned care through the creation of surgical hubs.

Setting up centres of excellence for planned surgery would improve outcomes and help reduce waiting times across hospitals, a partnership of some West Midlands trusts said.

The partnership, which involves the Dudley Group, Sandwell and West Birmingham, Walsall and Royal Wolverhampton NHS trusts, said it was working to manage rising demand for services and "improve access and patient experience".

Patients are being encouraged to share their views on elective care by way of a survey that is open until 27 July.

One concept is for the Dudley and Sandwell and West Birmingham trusts to bring together some of their surgical services at a Sandwell Health Campus to carry out routine procedures "for general surgery, orthopaedics and gynaecology".

Other ideas being explored include developing new specialist services so fewer patients need to travel outside the Black Country for treatment.

Elective care lead for the Black Country Diane Wake said timely, "high-quality care is so important to our communities".

She added "we want to give them the opportunity to reshape elective care to make it work better for patients and staff alike".

Ms Wake said: "I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to share their views - your voice will help us build a stronger, more responsive health system for the future."

Patients who are waiting for surgery, have recent experience of elective care or simply want to help shape a better future for local health services are encouraged to complete the survey, which can be accessed here.

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