Abstract
Background: In the early 1990s, waiting times for some surgical procedures and opinions for such routine problems as groin hernia repair were unacceptably long. General practitioners with a special interest (GPwSIs) in general surgery may improve this, but little evidence exists as to whether such service developments may improve efficiency and effectiveness of care.
Aims: To reduce the waiting time by offering a surgical service from a general practice setting without compromising on quality and safety of patient care.
Design of study: Feasibility study.
Setting: One general practice and the patient population of northwest Norfolk.
Methods: A GPwSI whose special interest was in general surgery started offering a surgical service, including open hernia repair, from a purpose-built operating theatre within general practice premises.
Results: Four thousand, nine hundred and sixty-five surgical procedures, including 286 inguinal hernia repairs, were performed. Quality and safety of patient care were not compromised and the waiting time was reduced from 18 months to 4 months.
Conclusion: It is feasible to perform open inguinal hernia repairs in a general practice setting.
- Received July 29, 2003.
- Revision received October 17, 2003.
- Accepted April 5, 2004.
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2004.