University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has reported that a concentrated operational drive has allowed around 150 children to receive surgery earlier than they might otherwise have expected. The initiative, described by the trust as a “super week”, brought together staff and resources on a single child‑friendly ward to increase throughput for a range of low‑complexity procedures.
What the programme involved
The trust launched the concentrated week in July 2025 with the specific aim of tackling waiting lists for paediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) and general surgery. By grouping patients in one ward area and streamlining lists, teams were able to maximise operating capacity and reduce cancellations that can rise in winter months when emergency pressures increase.
One young patient, Ayesha, 15, benefited from the change. She had a femoral osteotomy — a procedure to correct femur alignment — performed about six months earlier than anticipated. Ayesha said the timing meant she could recover over the summer holidays and look forward to returning to playing football.
“The recovery for this procedure can take up to 18 months, so having it sooner rather than later means I can start looking forward to the future again and hopefully get back to playing football,” she said.
Why this matters locally
Concentrating cases on a single ward reduces the logistical complexity of running multiple dispersed lists and helps staff maintain momentum. For families in Leicester and the wider county, this can translate into shorter waits for operations that, while classed as low complexity, have a major impact on a child’s quality of life and ability to participate in school and sport.
- Number treated: around 150 children during the week
- Specialties focused on: ENT and general surgery
- Primary aim: reduce waiting times and increase capacity ahead of winter
Practical note for patients and families
The trust says the model is intended to bolster surgical capacity ahead of a period when cancellations typically increase. Families with children on waiting lists should continue to follow correspondence from University Hospitals of Leicester and contact their clinical teams if their circumstances change or if they receive updated appointment information.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme name | Super week (July 2025) |
| Patients treated | Approximately 150 children |
| Target areas | ENT and general paediatric surgery |
The trust has framed the drive as a first step in tackling elective pressures and preparing services for seasonal demand. For many parents in Leicester, the difference between treatment being scheduled in months rather than years can be transformative — enabling children to recover and resume normal activities without prolonged disruption to education and day‑to‑day life.
