Project that halved wait times for emergency gynaecology examinations shortlisted for health value award

A project which has halved the length of time for an emergency gynaecological examination has been shortlisted for a national award. 

Doctors at Northampton General Hospital introduced gynaecology emergency assessment bags into the emergency department so that the specialist equipment for a comprehensive gynaecological assessment would be immediately available. As a result, the length of time a patient waits in the department for an examination has been more than halved.

The project has been shortlisted in the HSJ Value in Healthcare awards which aims to recognise value and efficiency in healthcare.

On behalf of the project group, Dr Bansari Trivedi said: “Before the introduction of the emergency bags, specialist assessments often took a while to instigate due to staff locating the necessary equipment in the obstetrics & gynaecology department followed by a 10-minute walk across the hospital site to the emergency department. 

“To mitigate this, the team introduced a lightweight, easy to clean, compartmentalised shoulder bag with all the necessary equipment needed for a gynaecological examination. This is carried by the on-call gynaecology doctor and is restocked at the end of every shift. 

“It was very simple and inexpensive solution that’s significantly reduced waiting times for our patients.”

As part of the hospital’s registrar leadership & management development course, the project team was made up of Dr Kirsty Adcock, Dr Jyothi Kambhampati and Dr Bansari Trivedi supported by the quality improvement team. The team project found undertaking the project to be really motivating and would encourage other staff to get involved.

Winners will be announced in May.