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 with back pain have been waiting up to a year at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), only to be told they do not require specialist treatment.

Referral System Reforms Underway

Hospital leaders have been informed that the referral system for spinal patients is undergoing major changes to address the problem. In January, an NHS national team from the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme visited RJAH to introduce a new “single point of access” system. This new approach is currently being trialled with plans for full implementation next year. The goal is to ensure patients receive “the right care at the right place at the right time.”

Rising Referral Numbers and Capacity Issues

At a board meeting on November 5, it was confirmed there is a nationwide increase in hospital referrals. At RJAH, referrals have surged from 4,500 in 2018/19 to 6,802 in 2024/25, including 4,021 from England and 2,781 from Wales. This growing demand is creating a significant imbalance between capacity and patient needs.

High Discharge Rates and Long Wait Times

“What’s really interesting” is a 32 per cent discharge rate. 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.

Patients are currently waiting around 52 weeks to be seen in the outpatient department, highlighting the strain on services and the need for pathway improvements.

Summary

A new referral system is being trialled at RJAH to address rising patient demand and reduce long waits, aiming to give patients timely, appropriate spinal care.

Shropshire Star — 2025-11-10