Request:
I would like to make a new FOI request around late starts for elective theatre sessions. Note this is in addition to a previous request that was similar but distinct. Please keep to the current statutory timescales for that previous request and treat this one separately.
Please can you provide the following:
- The number of elective theatre sessions in 2023-24 that were the first session of the day (ie morning session).
- Of those first sessions, the number that started late (ie, where the trust has recorded a late start, or where the start time exceeded the scheduled start time by >15 minutes)
- Please provide a breakdown of the reasons for the late starts detailed above, and the frequency of each reason. For example, if there were 100 late starts, please provide a breakdown of reasons and how often they occurred, so that they sum to that 100.
Please use the definition of late starts set by the GIRFT team:
This says the late start time is the “difference between expected time first patient enters the anaesthetic room and actual time first patient enters the anaesthetic room”.
Information disclosed:
- There were 7,900 elective sessions recorded at the start of the day over this period.
- Of these, 6,139 sessions exceeded the expected start time by more than 15 minutes.
- Please see the table below for information relevant to this part of your request:
| Reason for late start | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Anaesthetist Late | 334 |
| Awaiting HDU / ITU Bed Confirmation | 113 |
| Awaiting Ward Bed | 197 |
| Delay In Supply Of Instruments | 61 |
| Equipment Unavailable | 193 |
| On Call Staff Out | 36 |
| Overrunning morning List | 158 |
| Patient Late | 150 |
| Patient Not Consented | 45 |
| Patient Not Fasted | 11 |
| Patient Not Sent For On Time | 427 |
| Surgeon Late | 691 |
| Ward Based Delay | 1,266 |
| Unknown reason/not recorded | 2,457 |
| Total | 6,139 |