THE EFFECT OF INDEPENDENT TREATMENT CENTRES ON PATIENT CASE MIX WITHIN ORTHOPAEDIC WAITING LISTS

摘要

There is concern that the current drive to reduce waiting lists and promote alternative providers, such as independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs), will lead to a change in the case mix of patients remaining on the waiting lists of local hospitals. The realiocation of routine procedures on medically fit patients to alternative providers will result in an increase in the proportion of complex or medically unweil patients remaining on a Trust's waiting list. Overall waiting times for routine surgery will be reduced but there are concerns about the uncertain effects on patient outcome, general hospital resources and the experience of orthopaedic trainees.