Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust is the first to host a new Women’s Health Hub model, as part of a new South West London (SWL) initiative to improve care and reduce waiting times.

The Women’s Health Hub will focus on improving access to gynaecological, breast and sexual health services within GP practices and existing community healthcare settings across Kingston and Richmond, bringing care closer to patients’ homes.

Recent findings from a SWL review, show that 81% of patients on gynaecology waiting lists are outpatients, with evidence suggesting between 40% and 55% could be managed outside of secondary (hospital-based) care.

The model will serve approximately 300,000 patients and each patient referred to the service will be assessed by a collaborative team of primary and secondary care specialists. Patients will be directed to the most appropriate level of care at the right time, and unnecessary hospital visits will be reduced.

Sacha Newman, Urogynaecology Nurse Consultant and Clinical Integration Lead at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have seen an increase in demand for gynaecology services over recent years, and our goals are to streamline patient pathways, and provide better outcomes and experiences for women accessing women's health services. We are committed to providing a patient centred, caring and convenient service. Through this collaborative approach with local healthcare colleagues, we can meet the needs of our local people, now and in the future.”

Plans are being made to expand the Women’s Health Hub model across SWL, to ensure the needs of diverse local communities can be met.