A nurse-led pre-operative clinic at the Ulster Hospital is replacing almost three quarters of theatre slots affected by late paediatric cancellations, according to figures highlighted by the Department of Health.
Children are assessed before their planned surgery so clinical concerns can be identified earlier. Families are contacted again 48 hours before the procedure, giving the team time to reschedule when a child is unwell and offer the slot to another patient where it is safe and practical.
The Paediatric Anaesthetic Pre-Assessment Clinic is the first nurse-led service of its kind in Northern Ireland. Staff have completed dedicated competency training in paediatric assessment, supported by consultant anaesthetists.
Child-friendly guides are also used to explain anaesthesia and help families prepare for the day of surgery. The service is intended to improve safety as well as reduce avoidable cancellations and lost theatre time.
The approach forms part of wider work to improve elective-care productivity and spread successful clinical pathways between trusts. The department said the Ulster Hospital team is now able to replace 73 per cent of late cancellations.