The Operating Theatre Journal - Flipbook - Page 3
SEPTEMBER
2020
July2020
2023
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 2020
THETHE
THE
ISSUE
NO.
360
ISSUE
NO.
394
ISSUE
NO.
360
ISSUE NO. 360
ISSN
0000-000X
ISSN
1747-728X
ISSN
0000-000X
ISSN 0000-000X
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Inside this issue
NHS Long Term Workforce Plan:
Royal College of Anaesthetists comment
NHS England has released its first Long Term Workforce Plan.
Dr Fiona Donald, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists said:
“The NHS has for years been asking for a long-term plan for its most valuable asset – its people – so this
15-year strategy, with iterative reassessment to keep it on track, is a huge step forward. The plan sets out
ambitious targets to train record numbers of doctors, nurses, dentists and other healthcare staff, backed
with £2.4 billion of new money. This investment is to be celebrated, and the RCoA stands ready to help fully
develop and implement these plans, to secure the future of the specialty, protect and enhance the prospects
of our membership, and to ensure better care for patients.
“The RCoA has consistently and vigorously campaigned for the expansion of specialty training, and we are
pleased to see NHS England’s acknowledgement that an increase is necessary. We now need to see more
detail on training numbers and a commitment to the expansion of anaesthetic training places to cope with
demand, immediately and in the future.”
RCoA initial response to key parts of the plan
A doubling of medical school places to 15,000 by 2031/32, with the first new places coming online in
September 2025.
This is a positive step, as the provision of medical school places has long been a limiting factor to increasing
the number of doctors. However, it must be accompanied by an increase in the number of specialty training
places to avoid bottle necks in future.
A move to reduce medical school training from five or six-year degree programmes to four years.
The decision to reduce the duration of medical degrees can only be implemented if it does not negatively
impact on quality and consequently on patient safety and NHS productivity. This will require a robust
evidence base, and we are pleased that clinicians will be involved in the exploration of this concept.
NHS Long Term Workforce Plan:
Royal College of Anaesthetists
comment
p3
NHS must accept accountability
and learn from mistakes
P4
Money-saving deal gives NHS
staff access to latest
digital tools
P5
Research platform to transform
treatment of traumatic
brain injury
P6
One-stop-shop for artificial
intelligence (AI) and digital
regulations for health and
social care launched
P7
New research highlights
opportunities to improve care of
patients having major surgery
P8
UK AI receives widespread
recognition for NHS waiting
list impact
P10
NHS Workforce Plan missing
core elements to address
the immediate crisis
P13
Historic plan launched to move
Wales towards zero deaths
from bowel cancer
P14
A renewed focus on retention and wellbeing, with better opportunities for career development,
flexible working options and rest and refreshment facilities.
Taking higher-than-recommended
doses of vitamin D for five
years reduced the risk
of atrial fibrillation
P18
We welcome moves to boost retention, including allowing for more flexible working, which was a key issue
identified in our Respected, Valued, Retained report, and access to better rest and refreshment facilities.
We are keen to see swift and substantial action on these points. However, these are not the only factors
affecting morale and well-being – more must be done to make staff feel valued, and pay and conditions are
important parts of that.
Simulation Based Education in
Healthcare higher
education
P20-22
Acknowledgement of the need for growth in foundation year placements and expansion of specialty
training in future years, commensurate with the growth in undergraduate medical training.
The shortage of anaesthetic training posts is not only a concern for the future, it is a huge problem here
and now. Students beginning medical degrees in 2025 will not enter higher training until the 2030s, but
anaesthesia is oversubscribed now. The lack of adequate training places for anaesthetists is having an adverse
impact on the ability of the NHS to meet its current targets for reducing waiting times. It is also creating huge
uncertainty and anxiety for those currently in, or hoping to enter, core training.
Plans to boost NHS productivity, including through better perioperative care, incorporating earlier
preoperative health screening and optimisation, and increased access to day surgery, enhanced
recovery pathways and enhanced care services.
We welcome the renewed commitment to perioperative care, which is good for patients, clinicians and the
efficiency of the NHS.
Plans to expand Anaesthesia Associate training numbers
This proposed increase in the number of anaesthesia associates must go hand in hand with a proportional
increase in the number of anaesthetic doctors who will lead on the education and development of AAs within
a proper supervisory framework.
We will continue to analyse the plan in detail, especially with regard to investment in the anaesthetic
workforce. We would also like to see similar plans developed across the devolved nations.
Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com
Issue 394
As complications from cosmetic
tourism rise, UK and Turkish
Plastic Surgeons Unite to
Issue Consumer Guidelines
P24
First Mobile Simulation
Teaching Unit in England
P25
AI heart disease technology
scoops national win at NHS
Parliamentary Awards
on NHS’ 75th birthday
P30
Risk Reduction in EndoTracheal Tube Fixation
P32-34
Former Sheffield Hospitals
Senior Nurse honoured in
King’s Birthday Honours
P38
Construction of £24m planned
care hub at Princess Royal
Hospital is progressing well
P39
July 2023
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