Gynaecology Super Clinics praised for work to reduce waiting lists at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals

An innovative ‘one-stop’ gynaecology clinic has been recognised for its work to improve access to treatment as part of a wider NHS initiative to tackle 52-week waiting lists. 

The Gynaecology Super Clinics, introduced by Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals in May 2024, aim to treat or develop a treatment plan to ensure no patient waits more than 52 weeks to receive the care they need. 

The Super Clinic service, operating from the Gynaecology Outpatient Department at Warrington Hospital, is held every Saturday and delivers four simultaneous clinics to offer consultation, diagnostic scans and perform minor gynaecology procedures for women who present with symptoms of pelvic pain or irregular bleeding.

By offering clinics on a weekend, the team are able to reduce the need for multiple face-to-face appointments and expand the departments capacity across a seven-day service, without compromising patient safety or quality of care. Since the launch, the Super Clinics have seen more than 1,500 patients, with 80 per cent starting or completing their treatment plan at the clinic. 

The ‘one-stop’ Super Clinic approach was introduced to improve access, offer additional capacity, and reduce backlogs in gynaecology as part of the national ‘Further Faster 20’ initiative.

The ‘Further Faster 20’ initiative is part of the wider Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, designed to improve treatment and care by reviewing health services in England. Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals is one of 20 trusts taking part in the initiative to transform patient pathways and improve access to treatment. 

Dr Paul Fitzsimmons, Executive Medical Director for Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, said: “It is fantastic to see the Gynaecology Super Clinics recognised nationally for the work they are doing to effectively tackle patient waiting list backlogs in gynaecology care. Delivering innovative new approaches like these Super Clinics plays a crucial role in offering more capacity to reduce waiting lists and ensuring patients from across Warrington and Halton have timely access to vital diagnostic procedures.”

The model has delivered significant benefits for patients, including shorter waiting times, with same-day scans and treatment, improved convenience and easier accessibility, and an overall enhanced experience. 

When asked about the ‘one-stop’ model, one patient said: “Being able to have my consultation, scan and treatment in the same day is convenient and a wonderful service.”