A MAJOR surgery project led by clinicians from Royal Surrey County Hospital and found to increase patient survival has been named a finalist for a prestigious health award.

The emergency laparotomy pathway quality improvement care (ELPQuiC) bundle has been shortlisted for the Health Service Journal Value in Healthcare Awards 2017.

Laparotomy, or abdominal surgery, sees surgeons cut through the abdominal cavity in what are quite often high risk and complex procedures to treat life threatening conditions.

The project led by consultant anaesthetists Nial Quiney and Sam Huddart, gives better compliance to nationally published guidelines and ensures all patients receive prompt investigation, treatment and surgery.

It has been introduced at four hospitals and found to decrease the risk of mortality by 42 per cent.

Dr Huddart said: “Emergency major general surgery is inherently high risk due to a range of factors, including multi-organ failure and sepsis.

“At Royal Surrey we always strive to identify new ways of how best to deliver care to optimize outcomes for our patients.”

The project has been shortlisted alongside 10 other trusts’s work.

Dr Huddart and Dr Quiney will deliver a presentation and face an interview in front of a judging panel made up of senior and influential figures within healthcare before the winners are announced at Grosvenor House, London, in May.