Learn how the day surgery teams at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust are adapting the way they work to treat more patients and support more same-day discharges. Back
Increasing capacity through new ways of working
Working across three DSU areas on two sites, the team has been focused on finding new ways to increase productivity while continuing to deliver high quality care. Building on the success of their HIT lists, they have adapted this model for routine weekday work, enabling more patients to be treated each day. Hysteroscopy lists, for example, now see up to 25 patients treated per day.
Developing new pathways for day case care
Alongside this, the team has been developing new day case pathways in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues, helping more patients return home on the same day across both sites.
Recent work includes the introduction of a weekend ophthalmology virtual review service for urgent retinal detachment patients and a pathway for navigational bronchoscopies supporting the national lung cancer screening programme. They have also recently introduced their NOAH pathway, with their first patient discharged on the same day it went live.
Supporting staff and continuous improvement
To support these developments, the team has invested in both people and environment. Dedicated surgical education for nursing staff has been introduced, alongside specialist equipment to enhance post-operative care. Using a structured improvement approach, including a dedicated PDSA cycle, the team has reviewed feedback, refined processes and improved how care is delivered.
These changes have helped increase day case activity and reduce pressure on inpatient beds across the Trust.
Matron Ruheana is proud of her team, highlighting their willingness to try new things, take on new challenges and deliver their work with enthusiasm and professionalism every day.
If your team would like to be featured in a future DSU Spotlight, we would love to hear from you. It's an opportunity to introduce your DSU, share your experiences and help strengthen connections across the day surgery community.