Shake-up at Oswestry Hospital Spinal Services
Hundreds of patients from England and Wales with back pain have been waiting up to a year only to be told they do not require specialist treatment at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) in Shropshire.
Referral System Changes Planned
RJAH leaders have been informed that the entire referral system for spinal problems is being overhauled to address this issue. In January, the NHS national Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme team introduced a new “single point of access” system, currently in trial before its expected full launch next year. The goal is to ensure patients receive “the right care at the right place at the right time.”
Increasing Referrals and Capacity Challenges
A board meeting on November 5 highlighted a national trend of rising hospital referrals. Referrals at RJAH have surged from 4,500 in 2018/19 to 6,802 in 2024/25, with 4,021 from England and 2,781 from Wales. This growth is placing pressure on hospital capacity and causing imbalances between demand and resources.
Discharge Rate Raises Concerns
“What’s really interesting is a 32 per cent discharge rate. 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 currently waiting around 52 weeks to be seen in the outpatient department, further highlighting the strain on services.
Summary
The ongoing reform at RJAH aims to better manage growing spinal patient referrals by improving access pathways, addressing long waits, and ensuring patients receive appropriate care.