On a visit to Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre at St Mary’s, Portsmouth, Stephen Morgan MP heard about how short the centre’s NHS waits are, and pledged to help raise awareness of the centre so that more patients can access the care they need.
“Our waiting lists are currently just two weeks for cataract surgery…we’re seeing around 1,800 patients a month but have the space to see 2,500.”
Kathy Lloyd, Hospital Director at Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary’s Portsmouth
Stephen met with Hospital Director Kathy Lloyd and her team and heard how the centre currently has spare capacity to treat more patients than they currently do.
Kathy Lloyd said: “Our waiting lists are currently just two weeks for cataract surgery, four weeks for endoscopy, eight weeks for urology and just four weeks for general surgery such as hernia and colorectal procedures. We are seeing around 1800 patients a month, but have the space to see 2,500. In our experience, patients don’t mind whether they are seen at an NHS hospital or at a centre like ours that offers NHS surgery- whichever is fastest. This is where patient choice comes in, and where patients can exercise their right to choose to come here by asking their GP for a referral. We were delighted to welcome Stephen today and to let him know we are here ready to help his constituents struggling to access healthcare.”
“Portsmouth people frequently tell me waiting lists are far too long, so it was helpful to discuss how organisations are working to tackle this.”
Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth South MP
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“I was pleased to visit Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre and Urgent Treatment Centre at St Mary’s to meet with their team and hear about how they are supporting the NHS. Portsmouth people frequently tell me that waiting lists are far too long, so it was helpful to discuss how organisations are working together to tackle this.
“The Labour government has set the ambitious target of ensuring 92% of NHS patients are seen within 18 weeks and services like this in the heart of our city will play a vital role in achieving that.”
