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Surgical Hubs: Injuries and Orthopaedics

Asked by Helen MorganLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 27 June 2025UIN 61006

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of surgical hubs on (a) waiting times for (i) trauma and (ii) orthopaedic treatment and (b) equity in access to treatment.

Answered by Karin Smyth

No formal assessment has been specifically made on the potential impact of surgical hubs on clinical speciality waiting times or equity in access to treatment.

A mixed methods evaluation of the surgical hub programme is currently underway, led by the University of York, and is expected to complete in 2027.

Surgical hubs transform the way the National Health Service provides elective care by focusing on providing high volume low complexity surgery, as recommended by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Hubs separate elective care facilities from urgent and emergency care, improving outcomes for patients and reducing pressures on hospitals.

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