3,000 patients benefit from hospital collaboration in north east London

Two NHS trusts are working together to tackle long waiting times (Credit: BHRUT)

More than 3,000 people in north east London have benefitted from two hospital groups working together. 

Over 900 people waiting for endoscopies at Barts Health had their procedures at Queen’s and King George hospitals between December 2021 and February 2022.

The transfer effectively eliminated the waiting list backlog for endoscopies that had developed during the pandemic.

More than 2,000 people waiting for ultrasound scans at Barts Health were referred to Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. They benefitted from extra temporary staff and scanners at Barking Community Hospital.

The two organisations are trying to expand a system of mutual aid that the NHS routinely uses to manage winter pressures. It will help tackle particularly long waiting times for gastro-enterology, ear nose and throat procedures (ENT). 

Claire Hogg, who is leading the programme, said: “Waiting times vary across surgical specialities and this is unfair on those patients waiting too long for treatment.

“Over the coming year we are determined to address these inequities across our patch, with our hospitals working together and supported by targeted investment in expanding elective capacity and our community diagnostic hubs.”

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