What do local people think about proposed changes?

This report outlines Enfield residents thoughts on the proposals to reduce the number of hospitals providing elective orthopaedic operations.

North London Partners in Health and Care are currently reviewing the way in which planned operations for bones and joints, such as hip and knee replacements, are delivered. The appraisal aims to:

• eliminate the differences in quality
• improve patient experience and
• ensure value for money

Between August and October 2018, Healthwatch Enfield engaged local residents and stakeholders in conversations about the proposal. 208 individuals shared their views.

Nearly three in give agreed with the idea to reduce the number of hospitals offering planned operations for bones and joints, such as hip and knee replacements. Nearly two in five explicitly rejected the proposal.

However, qualitative review of the evidence base makes the answer less straightforward. Despite appearing to favour the reduction in the number of hospitals providing planned operations for bones and joints, local people identified several caveats and conditions that would need to be met by the changes. These include:

• a guarantee that the introduction of centres of excellence will reduce waiting times and mean better outcomes for patients
• ease of access for patients and their relatives and/or carers
• availability of high-quality staff and facilities within the centres

Healthwatch Enfield invites North London Partners in Health and Care to carefully consider the wider evidence base contained in this report before determining next steps, such as formal consultation. Due consideration should also be given to ways and methods of engaging with diverse communities, as conversations about the proposed changes to planned operations, continue.