A surgical hub will feature alongside eight UK hospitals to take part in a national accreditation scheme. 

The surgical hub at King George Hospital, in Ilford, has been named as one of just eight across the country to take part in a national accreditation scheme.

Set up during the pandemic to ensure planned surgery could continue safely, separately from emergency admissions, the ‘hospital within a hospital’ was called one of the greatest assets.

The hospital was able to reduce its waiting lists drastically, and became one of the top performing trusts for high volume, low complexity surgery and getting patients the treatment they needed quicker.

The pilot accreditation scheme will include an assessment by NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme, with accreditation due in March.

After that, the scheme is hoped to be rolled out to surgical hubs across the country.

Accreditation will recognise high standards and a commitment to offer training opportunities.

Chief executive, Matthew Trainer, said: "This is a real accolade for King George Hospital and our Trust and will cement our place as one of the best-performing trusts in the country for reducing our waiting lists.

"It’s great timing as well as we expand our hub with additional facilities, including two new theatres, which will allow us to complete up to 90 extra operations a week."