Tackling Health Inequalities in Surgical Care

Health inequalities significantly affect patients on elective surgery waiting lists. People from deprived areas and/or with protected characteristics have longer waits for surgery and are more likely to have multiple health conditions and poorer overall health while waiting for surgery. This results in higher rates of surgery cancellations and poorer postoperative outcomes. Preparing patients to be "surgery-ready" is a clinical priority and essential for fostering a fairer and more inclusive NHS.

Co-Designing Solutions

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust collaborated with Healthwatch Greenwich to co-design solutions aimed at helping patients optimise their health before undergoing surgery. A series of seven discussion sessions brought together patients on LGT’s waiting list for surgery and community members living within LGT’s catchment area. Participants included individuals from global majority backgrounds, those with mental health needs, people living with disabilities, and parents and carers of people with learning disabilities. These discussion sessions focused on sharing their lived experiences and perspectives to co-design the support needed to improve their health during the surgical care pathway.