The NHS is taking proactive measures to address the prolonged waits for elective care by encouraging retired doctors to return to the health service.
The Emeritus pilot scheme is part of the Long Term Workforce Plan and designed to enhance flexibility for staff returning to the NHS to decrease waiting lists in elective care.
As part of the scheme, Emeritus consultants, retired doctors holding a valid license to practice, are expected to commence appointments in the coming month.
The comprehensive registration process includes pre-employment checks and face-to-face interviews conducted by NHS Professionals.
A cloud-based platform has been developed to connect these recently retired consultants with secondary care providers facing challenges in managing their elective care waiting lists.
Platform functionality
The innovative platform allows healthcare providers to upload specific activities they require assistance with, ranging from outpatient appointments to specialist advice requests and education and training support.
Emeritus consultants can express their interest in undertaking particular tasks, and providers can choose a consultant based on their skillset and availability.
The appointments are then scheduled and arranged with patients, offering both in-person and remote options.
Health Minister Andrew Stephenson commented: “The first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan sets out how we will put the NHS on a sustainable footing and address existing vacancies.
“Returning consultants will bring invaluable experience and knowledge, and the new digital platform will match highly-skilled consultants with the NHS trusts that require their expertise, providing high-quality care and alleviating pressures on high-demand areas.
“This will help us cut waiting lists – one of the government’s five priorities.”
Addressing elective care waiting lists
With more than four-fifths of people on the waiting list requiring outpatient appointments, the platform facilitates remote consultations, enabling consultants to operate from any location in England.
This proves particularly beneficial for hospitals facing workforce shortages in specific specialities, areas with higher service demands, or remote regions where patient travel is challenging.
The Emeritus pilot scheme is positioned as a viable alternative to using agency staff, providing trusts with a flexible solution.
It caters to experienced specialists nearing retirement who wish to extend their service in the NHS or recently retired consultants seeking a route back into the healthcare system with increased flexibility.
Data indicates that approximately 1,000 consultants retire from the NHS annually. The Emeritus scheme aligns with broader efforts to retain skilled professionals and utilise their expertise to address the demands of the NHS Elective Recovery Plan.
Positive progress
Despite challenges such as disruptive industrial action and rescheduled appointments, recent data reveals progress in reducing elective care waiting lists.
In November, NHS staff delivered over 1.63 million treatments, the highest monthly activity on record, contributing to a decrease in the waiting list for procedures and appointments from 7.7 million in October to 7.6 million.
Wait times of over 65 weeks have more than halved since June 2021, showcasing the positive impact of the NHS’s hard work and innovation.
