Shake-up at Oswestry hospital spinal services as figures reveal patients face long waits only to be discharged

Changes in Oswestry Hospital Spinal Services Amid Long Patient Waits

Hundreds of patients from England and Wales suffering from back pain have been waiting up to a year at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) only to be told they do not require treatment there.

Referral System Overhaul

Hospital leaders have been informed that the referral system for spinal problems is undergoing a significant overhaul to address these delays and inefficiencies.

Introduction of a Single Point of Access

In January, an NHS national team from the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) program visited RJAH and presented a new "single point of access" system. This system is currently being trialed and is planned to launch next year, aiming to ensure patients receive "the right care at the right place at the right time."

Increasing Referral Pressures

A board meeting on November 5 revealed a national trend of rising hospital referrals. At RJAH, referrals surged from 4,500 in 2018/19 to 6,802 in 2024/25, with 4,021 patients coming from England and 2,781 from Wales. This increase is creating a significant imbalance between capacity and demand.

Challenges in Patient Pathways

An official highlighted a concerning 32% discharge rate at RJAH, indicating a systemic problem with patient pathways.

“That would indicate we’ve got a problem with our pathways when almost a third of our patients actually don’t need to be here.”

Patients are reportedly waiting about 52 weeks to be seen in the outpatient department, further underscoring the urgency of addressing these issues.

Summary

RJAH faces mounting pressures from soaring referrals and lengthy waits, prompting a system overhaul to improve patient flow and ensure timely, appropriate care.

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Shropshire Star — 2025-11-10