Shake-up at Oswestry hospital spinal services as figures reveal patients face long waits only to be discharged

Shake-up at Oswestry Hospital Spinal Services

Hundreds of patients from England and Wales experiencing back pain have been waiting up to a year, only to be told they do not require treatment at the specialist Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) in Shropshire.

Referral System Overhaul

Hospital leaders have been informed that the referral system for spinal problems is undergoing major changes to address this issue. An NHS national team from the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme visited RJAH in January to introduce a new “single point of access” model. This system is currently being trialled before its planned full launch next year, aiming to ensure patients receive “the right care at the right place at the right time.”

Rising Referrals and Capacity Challenges

At a board meeting on November 5, it was noted that there is a nationwide increase in hospital referrals. RJAH has seen referrals jump from 4,500 in 2018/19 to 6,802 in 2024/25, including 4,021 from England and 2,781 from Wales. This surge has created a significant imbalance between capacity and demand.

Discharge Rates Highlight Pathway Issues

An official highlighted a concerning discharge rate of 32%, explaining:

“That would indicate we’ve got a problem with our pathways when almost a third of our patients actually don’t need to be here.”

She also noted that patients wait approximately 52 weeks to be seen in the outpatient department.

Summary

The overhaul aims to streamline spinal care referral pathways amid rising demand and long waits, correcting a system where many patients are found not to require hospital treatment.

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Shropshire Star — 2025-11-10