Heartbeat: Improved patient pathway for SAU

September 20, 2018

Our surgical assessment unit (SAU) at Sandwell Hospital recently implemented a new way of working, resulting in a smoother pathway for patients.

This new method will mean that patients who go to the emergency department will now have direct access to SAU, reducing waiting time for them. In addition, patients will have the opportunity to be booked in for time-slotted appointments meaning that waiting time the hospital will be vastly reduced.

Having time-slotted appointments for patients will give senior doctors on wards the ability to be able to action plan for patients prior to them visiting. It will also result in clinical colleagues across SAU becoming more productive as they will be able to plan ahead.

With this new system in place, GPs will have access to SAU so they have the ability to refer patients directly, likewise with clinics.

Senior Sister, Angie Smith believes efficiency will be improved as a result of this and said: “By introducing this new way of working will ensure our service as a whole will become more direct.

“There will be a better turnover of patients which will reduce patient waiting time, improving the patient journey at Sandwell Hospital.”

Matron, Amanda Green echoes these thoughts and added: “Patient satisfaction is a key priority within our organisation so to be able to improve the patient journey in any capacity can only be seen as a good thing.

“Time management can always be challenging when working in a consistently demanding clinical area so to be able reduce patient waiting times is always a positive.

“The new way of working was introduced on 15 August and we’re already reaping the rewards so long term, I think it will only prove beneficial for the Trust.”