The development and implementation of NHS treatment centres as an organisational innovation

Description/Abstract

The idea for Treatment Centres was first heralded in the
NHS Plan (DH, 2000). From a planned small scale
introduction of four ‘Diagnostic and Treatment Centres’
(soon renamed as Treatment Centres) in 2001, the plan
was to increase the number, range of services and type
of provider (with the introduction of the private sector)
so that 50 TCs would be operational by 2004/05
(DH,2002). Using the existing Ambulatory Care and
Diagnostic Centre at Central Middlesex Hospital
(London) and models of surgicentres (developed
overseas) as prototypes, the TC model was innovative
as it proposed a ‘one-stop shop’ for planned (nonemergency)
care. Patients could obtain diagnostic and
treatment services under one roof. TCs aimed to reduce
inappropriate delays and waiting lists through the
separation of elective surgery from emergency and
unplanned treatment. By focussing on high volume
and routine surgical procedures in orthopaedics,
gynaecology, ophthalmology and cardiology, TCs
sought to increase efficiency by delivering high
volumes of activity and high quality health care using
modern methods. This proposed service development
was timely for NHS change managers who were
seeking ways to make progress towards national
waiting time targets and to introduce more patientcentred
models of care.Whilst many had not previously
considered the TC model, they were eager to explore its
advantages at a local level.