Thousands 'wait more than 18 weeks' for treatment

It is estimated that by the end of the month the trust controlling Shropshire’s two main hospitals will have 2,515 patients who have waited more than 18 weeks for treatment.

The national requirement is to ensure the number of patients waiting for longer than 18 weeks for treatment does not exceed eight per cent of the total number of on the waiting list.

Health bosses have said Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, which manages both Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) Telford, has consistently struggled to meet the target this year.

The trust's own predictions show that by the March 31 it will have a total waiting list of 20,574 patients – of this 2,515 exceed the 18 week threshold.

Officials say they have developed a plan to reduce the 18 week backlog.

In a paper due to be discussed at a meeting of the trust in Shrewsbury on Thursday, it says that to reduce waiting times bosses plan to introduce waiting list initiatives, additional theatre sessions, and consider outsourcing.

The cost of increased capacity is expected to be £3.3 million and officials say they hope to achieve the 18 week target by November.

The paper also says that the trust has a shortfall of 99 registered nurses - leading to a reliance on agency staff.

It states: "Despite extensive recruitment activities, this gap has remained fairly constant for the last three years and has consistently been filled with agency nurses.

"It is evidenced that high levels of agency nurses impact on patients' length of stay and substantive staff morale; it also impacts on the trust’s financial position and impacts on the delivery of the National Agency Cap.

"Managing the availability and capacity of the trust’s medical staff will continue to be a focus for 2017/18."

The trust is now expecting to record a year-end deficit of £7.4 million – missing its target by £1.5 million.

However in regards to cancer services at RSH and PRH, the trust said it is one of a small number of trusts, which consistently delivers national access targets.

The paper states: "Cancer services within the trust consistently deliver to a high standard.

"Clinical outcomes for both care and treatment are amongst the best in the country, with colorectal services performing the best nationally, and the service recognised as an exemplar site for both teaching and the sharing of best practice.

"During the 2016/17 financial year the trust was one of a small number of acute trusts, who consistently delivered national access targets.

"In setting a plan for the 2017/18 financial year the trust expects to continue this performance into the 2017/18 financial year.”