DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release (2007/0089) issued by The Government News Network on 17
April 2007
A new report
launched today on the future of planned surgery, recommends that
80% of all surgery should be done locally with the remaining 20%
of the more complex cases taking place at specialist centres where
patients will have access to the most highly skilled surgeons in
their field, using the most up to date technology.
In his report 'Saws and Scalpels to Lasers and Robots -
Advances in Surgery' Prof. Sir Ara Darzi the National Advisor
on Surgery, sets out the changes that have taken place over the
past two decades which have led to a revolution in how surgery is
carried out. The use of more lasers and keyhole surgery has led to
a quicker recovery for patients and less risk of infection.
Procedures that previously required long stays in hospitals, such
as hernia operations, can now be done as day cases in more local
settings. The development of new drugs have made some surgery,
such as the treatment of stomach ulcers, completely unnecessary,
Prof. Sir Ara Darzi said:
"Whilst I have been practising as a surgeon there have been
major advances in surgical techniques. Advances that mean the
physical and psychological trauma of surgery for the patient is
much diminished. Smaller incisions plus a speedier recovery
equals improved care for patients. Yet we could be doing much more
minimally invasive day case surgery.
"As surgery has improved, it has also become more
specialised. To take advantage of this specialisation we need to
ensure that the most complex cases are being treated by the most
skilled surgical teams (surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists). The
NHS is not yet providing surgery in a way that makes the most of
the progress in surgery over the last twenty years. I hope my
report will be a step in changing that."
Speaking at the Royal College of Surgeons, Health Secretary
Patricia Hewitt welcomed the report:
"Patients will be pleased to know that they can receive high
quality surgical care closer to their homes with short waiting
times. The fact that patients can now have high tech surgery in
one day, leaving a small scar and having a faster recovery time,
will also be appreciated.
"This report - for which I am grateful to Sir Ara Darzi -
highlights the need for changes in surgery to happen now - not in
ten years time. Past history has shown that surgeons have always
been at the forefront of changes in healthcare, leading the way in
the technological developments.
"It is vital that surgeons and other healthcare
professionals are as equally involved in driving forward the
service changes that are necessary for patients to get the best
possible care in the most appropriate places. These clinical
arguments need to be communicated to patients so that they also
recognise that these changes are necessary to save lives.
"There are some small changes to working practices that can
take place quickly with almost immediate benefit for patients. By
working more effectively and using surgeons' and theatre time
efficiently, we can deliver an even better service for patients."
Commenting on the report the President of the Royal College of
Surgeons, Mr Ribeiro said,
"I welcome the intention that most patients should have
their surgery done locally as day cases as long as the required
facilities are available for pre-operative assessment, surgery and
post-operative care. This trend towards day case surgery is
evidenced by increasing numbers performed by NHS consultants each
year in many different settings. It is imperative that surgery is
carried out by appropriately trained and qualified surgeons who
meet the standards required by the College. This is essential to
ensure the safe treatment of our patients.
"Equally, the College strongly supports the requirement that
surgeons with the greatest experience in specialised areas should
be operating on the most complex cases."
The Secretary of State also announced the new National Clinical
Advisory Team today which will provide a pool of clinical experts
to support and guide the local NHS on service change proposals to
ensure that they are safe and accessible for patients. The team
members, led by Prof. George Alberti, are all highly respected
clinicians who can either lend their support to proposed changes
or suggest adjustments to proposals which can feed in to the
consultation process.
Notes to Editors
1. Professor Sir Ara Darzi is one of the world's leading
surgeons and specialises in the field of minimally invasive and
robot-assisted surgery, having pioneered many new techniques and
technologies. He is a Professor of Surgery at Imperial College,
London and practices as St Mary's and the Royal Marsden NHS
Trust. His report, 'Saws and Scalpels to Lasers and Robots -
Advances in Surgery', can be found on the Department of
Health website http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_4067943
2. The membership of the National Clinical Advisory Team is as
follows, with other members being seconded to the team as appropriate.
Professor Sir George Alberti - National Director for Emergency Access
Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran - Professor and Head, Obstetrics
and Gynaecology at St George;s Hospital Medical School.
Professor David Colin-Thome - National Clinical Director for
Primary Care.
Professor Matthew Cooke - Course Director for Warwick MSc in
emergency care and is the Emergency Medicine Advisor at the
Department of Health.
Dr Simon Eccles - National Clinical Lead for Hospital Doctors and
a consultant in emergency medicine at Homerton Hospital, London.
Professor Tony Giddings - elected member to the council of the
Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Professor David Haslam - past Chairman and President Elect of
the Royal College of General Practitioners and is National
Clinical Adviser to the Healthcare Commission.
Lis Nixon - National Emergency Care Lead for Accident and Emergency.
Dr Simon Ward - Senior Medical Adviser in the Service Development
Commissioning Directorate of DH as well as the Choose and Book
Medical Director.
Professor Sheila Shribman - National Clinical Director for Paediatrics.
[ENDS]