Rachel has welcomed the progress being made in tackling the elective care backlogs in the local NHS.
At a meeting last Friday (September 15th) with Simon Trickett, Chief Executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Rachel discussed the Government’s Elective Recovery Plan.
They also discussed Rachel’s Long-Term Plan for the Delivery of Health and Social Care which sets a clear ambition to tackle the Covid backlogs and eliminate long waits for treatment.
It was confirmed at the meeting that waits over two years (104 weeks) have been eliminated and waits over 18 months (78 weeks) have virtually been eliminated, with targeted work ongoing to reduce the number further.
Significant progress has been made in reducing 65 week waits, and Rachel has been told the local NHS is currently on track to meet the elimination of 65 weeks by the target date of the end of March 2024.
Hitting these targets will be supported by the opening of the £18.8 million operating theatre complex at the Alexandra Hospital – a purpose-built extension to the hospital.
The two operating theatres will increase capacity by 28%, helping to tackle the backlogs and ensure patients receive their treatment more quickly.
This is one of a number of recent investments in the Alex which also includes a £3.9 million expansion of endoscopy services, a brand-new Breast Imaging Unit and the return of the Garden Suite.
Rachel said:
“Tackling the backlogs and cutting the waiting lists is a national mission, and our hard-working and dedicated doctors and nurses here in Worcestershire are ensuring my constituents receive the treatment they need.
“I want to thank our healthcare staff for ensuring the targets are met, because behind every number is a patient no longer in pain and someone who can move forward with their life.
“The brand-new operating theatre complex at the Alex will certainly help to tackle the backlogs even further and ensure patients receive their treatment more quickly.”
