SRS371 - Surgical hubs: a cut above? Assessing outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery

Abstract Introduction/Aims The Surgical Hub model was introduced in Wales to separate elective and emergency procedures, aiming to reduce the backlog of elective and cancer surgeries exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, three years into this initiative, we sought to assess whether the model improves patient safety and surgical outcomes. Our study compared pre- and post-Surgical Hub data for colorectal cancer surgeries, using the National Bowel Cancer Audit (NBOCA) benchmarks as reference points. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of colorectal cancer surgeries at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB), comparing outcomes before (2018–2021) and after (2022–2024) the implementation of the Surgical Hub model. Key outcomes included unplanned returns to theatre within 30 days, readmissions related to surgery within 30 days, and mortality within 90 days. Clinical notes, paper and digital, were reviewed to assess clinical courses and outcomes. Results Readmission rates improved from 13.1 to 9.2% following the introduction of the hub model. 90-day mortality reduced from 6.0 to 3.0%, and return to theatre rates dropped from 8.7% pre-hub to 3.4% post-hub. These results compare favourably to NBOCA targets of <10% for returns to theatre, <15% for readmissions, and <6% for mortality. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the Surgical Hub model at ABUHB exceeds national performance benchmarks, demonstrating its potential to deliver high-quality, safe care for colorectal cancer patients. These results provide encouraging evidence to support the government’s proposed expansion of Surgical Hubs across the UK.