SURGICAL patients are to benefit from a new, streamlined service piloted by health chiefs.
Patients are to have a one-stop shop before operations at the Calderdale Royal Infirmary in Halifax - one of a few hospitals nationally to run the scheme.
Nurses will make pre-op assessments, to gauge whether patients are suitable for surgery on the same day they are told they need an operation.
The assessments will uncover factors such as whether a patient has high blood pressure - which can affect the outcome of surgery - whether they are overweight and need to diet or if they smoke and should give up.
The assessments were previously done by doctors on an additional visit. This delayed surgery if a patient was unfit at that stage.
Doctors will be relieved of the duty at the Calderdale Royal, which will enable them to conduct more specialised work elsewhere.
Juliet Chambers, associate director of nursing, who is leading the project, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for nurses to lead the way. It will make the whole process for surgical procedures more efficient and a better experience for patients."
The nurse-led assessments will be piloted in Halifax for six months.
The scheme will be extended to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, once evaluated.
