Secretary of State for Health Steve Barclay visits Treatment Centre at Queen's Hospital Burton
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton have welcomed the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay MP, and Burton and Uttoxeter MP, Kate Griffiths, to visit the Treatment Centre at Queen’s Hospital Burton today.
The Secretary of State spoke to UHDB staff and patients about the work to reduce waiting times for planned procedures. He visited part of the Treatment Centre that opened in 2020, with two orthopaedic theatres, X-Ray and Ultrasound rooms and a 28 bed ward.
Dr Magnus Harrison, Interim CEO, who showed the Secretary of State around the new facilities, said: “UHDB are one of the largest trauma and orthopaedic centres in the country, so there is a high demand for our services.
"We are fortunate to have the Treatment Centre where elective capacity is protected. I am pleased the Secretary of State was able to visit today to see the innovative approach we are taking here at UHDB and the great strides we are taking to reduce our elective backlog. Our aim is that by the end of March 2023, no patients are waiting more than a year and a half for planned procedures."
Dr Kathy McLean, Chair, who also met with the Secretary of State, said: “I am proud of the work that is happening at the Treatment Centre in Burton. We have been able to ringfence those theatres and wards, so that elective capacity is protected even when emergency demand rises. Since it opened, over 2,175 patients have had elective procedures in these two theatres and have been cared for in the ward. It has been a privilege to show the excellent work happening here and for the Secretary of State to see the passion and enthusiasm of our staff who are working hard every day to support the elective recovery for our patients in Staffordshire and Derbyshire.”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay MP said: “It was great to visit the Queen’s Hospital treatment centre in Burton and see first-hand how staff are tackling Covid backlogs through their elective surgery recovery plan.
“The centre supports patients through every stage of the treatment process, from getting surgery all the way through to aftercare, like physiotherapy. I’m grateful for the vital work staff do in treating more patients and improving outcomes.
“We continue to work hard to bust the Covid backlogs and ensure people get the support they need across a wide range of health services, and are on track to eliminate waits of over a year for elective care by March 2025.”
The Secretary of State and Kate Griffiths MP spoke to a number of UHDB colleagues including a Clinical Theatre Manager, Radiographers, Sonographers and nursing staff.
They also met Elaine Downing, who was recovering after a hip replacement. She said: “The staff have been great, I’m being well looked after and the facilities here are lovely. I’m really glad to have had the operation, I keep fit and healthy so I think that helped me get up and about so soon.”
Dr Magnus Harrison added: “I know there are still patients who are waiting for their procedures in our communities and we are sorry that you have had to wait. We appreciate that while we refer to these as ‘routine’ procedures, many patients are in pain and discomfort. It is one of our key priorities as an organisation to manage this in a safe, timely manner.”