In order to shorten the waiting list, a study recommended creating a list of on-call patients for cancelled surgical operations.

The Jersey General Hospital (JGH) orthopaedic and operating theatre efficiency review conducted in April found the hospital had “excellent facilities” and examples of good practice.

It was developed by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital’s Getting It Right First Time project team to reduce long waiting times and “ensure the best outcomes for patients”.

Deputy Minister for Health and Human Services Tom Binet said the recommendations made in the review would be taken into account in an action plan to be released next month.

The review identified 36 recommendations for improvement, including maximising the use of existing resources and assets and increasing the number of sessions conducted per day.

Mr Binet said the investigation was commissioned “with the specific aim of improving hospital efficiency and increasing productivity”.

He said: “As expected, the report contains a number of recommendations. These will be addressed in an action plan that will be presented to the public at the same time as it is presented to the independent advisory panel at its next meeting in September.”

The recommendations called on the JGH to increase the number of surgical lists for mid-level doctors and the training opportunities available to “improve morale and prevent degradation of skills” and to seek to address and understand the “high absenteeism rates”.

Other recommendations included reviewing the current workforce, identifying gaps in rosters where there should be “permanent” appointments rather than long-term temporary staff, and exploring solutions to better manage “poor performing” staff.

It also recommended the creation of a single area for the reception of surgical procedures to avoid delays and waiting times in the operating theatres. It was also recommended that the JGH ensure that the operating theatres are open six days a week, 48 weeks a year.

Prof Tim Briggs, the author of the review, said he had received “open and honest” opinions from all staff who were “enthusiastic” about the changes to improve services.

He said: “We have seen excellent facilities with many examples of good practice. This confirms our view that the JGH has the opportunity to become a model hospital, improving care for all patients and encouraging additional private patients to use the facilities.”

“We have identified opportunities and areas for change in practice that will lead to increased activity through optimal use of existing resources and assets.”

Prof Briggs said the recommendations needed to be “implemented swiftly to expand services and improve care”.