Vanguard Healthcare has published its findings, following a joint venture study with the British Association of Day Surgery (BADS), to evaluate and quantify the cost advantages to the NHS of deploying temporary facilities to reduce waiting times for ophthalmic surgical procedures.
The study revealed that a hospital in England can typically generate an approximate monthly income of around £208,000 and net surpluses of nearly £60,000, as a result of using a mobile operating theatre for day case ophthalmic surgery. The income from ‘Payment by Results’ (PbR) tariffs was compared against the hire costs that included staff, to evaluate whether this is a viable financial solution for hospitals. Clinical staff monitored the use of the surgical unit for an equivalent of 39 half day sessions in November 2011, which was then retrospectively analysed before taking into account theatre costs such as nursing and medical staff and consumables. It was identified that the hospital could have achieved 46 half day sessions during the 23 working days in November. Had the unit been fully operational during the period, an estimated income of £245,000 and ‘profits’ of £85,000 could have been achieved in the month. Mary Smallbone, Vanguard Healthcare’s marketing and operations director, pointed out the range of benefits that mobile surgical facilities offer the healthcare sector: “Our findings demonstrate the significant cost efficiencies that a temporary operating theatre such as this can provide a hospital, in addition to providing supplementary surgical facilities and increasing opportunities to manage and maintain NHS waiting list targets. Based on our discussions with managers and clinicians, this is an opportunity that many hospitals are keen to explore given their need increasingly to manage income and costs while delivering greater efficiencies.” Mary Smallbone presented the research results with Angela Dunn, commercial accountant, from Vanguard Healthcare, to more than 250 delegates from across the UK and Europe, at the 23rd British Association of Day Surgery (BADS) Annual Scientific Meeting.
