Earlier this year (2020), NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I) approved the proposals to allow there to be two specialised vascular centres instead of three in West Yorkshire. One of the specialised vascular centres will be based in Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) due to its status as a major trauma centre; the other specialised vascular centre will be based in Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) due to its co-location with in-patient renal care. The five trusts across West Yorkshire can now proceed with this work and the planned ‘go-live’ date for the second arterial centre has been given approval for Monday 16 November 2020. Following November 16, all in-patient and acute vascular work for West Yorkshire will be managed at the BRI and LGI arterial centres, whilst all centres will continue to offer day case surgery and interventional radiology, out-patient clinics and diagnostics.
Operational working groups have been developed through the partnership at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust to support, shape and progress the overall plans for implementation.
A readiness checklist has been established to ensure that all changes can be implemented safely while the trusts continue to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for the winter months ahead.
Find out more about this Vascular Services consultation on the NHS England website.