Surgical team shortlisted for 2023 HSJ Patient Safety Awards
A surgical team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been shortlisted in the HSJ Patient Safety Awards which recognises safety, culture and positive experience in patient care.
Our team who run a radiofrequency ablation clinic for the treatment of varicose veins is in the running to win the Patient Safety in Elective Recovery Award at this year’s awards.
The ambulatory clinic has been running in West Out-patients since October 2022 and uses radiofrequency energy to heat the wall of the vein so that it collapses and reduces the pain and swelling associated with varicose veins.
Mr Philip Bennett, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, said varicose veins were previously treated in an operating theatre at NNUH, but moving to an outpatient setting had increased efficiency and patient satisfaction scores.
“By taking treatment into an outpatient clinic, we can treat 11 patients a day compared to eight when we were in theatres. This service is currently only for patients who are ambulatory who can ‘walk in and walk out’ for treatment. Patients have reported high satisfaction as they can choose a date and 45-minute time slot to have their treatment and don’t have to wait around as they would being treated in theatre.
“This clinic would not have been possible without the support of the multi-disciplinary team. It is very rewarding to get thank you cards and letters from patients hearing how this treatment improves their quality of life.”
The HSJ Patient Safety Awards acknowledges the hard-working teams and individuals across the UK who are continually striving to deliver improved patient care.
A record-breaking 515 entries were received for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2023, with 209 organisations, projects and individuals making it to the final shortlist. The Awards are a highlight of the HSJ’s annual two-day Patient Safety Congress, which will take place on 18 and 19 September, where delegates working at the forefront of safety, quality and clinical excellence will come together to join in with open and honest discussions about the current reality of safety.