Majority of operations could be done locally

19 Apr 07
Investment in district general hospitals is vital if the NHS is to implement a revolution in planned surgery, the British Medical Association said this week.

20 April 2007

Investment in district general hospitals is vital if the NHS is to implement a revolution in planned surgery, the British Medical Association said this week.

A report written for the Department of Health by a leading surgeon recommends that 80% of all surgery should be carried out in local hospitals. More complex cases (the remaining 20%) should be performed at specialist centres, which would give patients access to the best surgeons and the most up-to-date technology.

In his report, Saws and scalpels to lasers and robots – advances in surgery, Professor Sir Ara Darzi, the DoH's national adviser on surgery, said that advances in technology and techniques meant that patients could be treated locally.

But he added: 'The NHS is not yet providing surgery in a way that makes the most of the progress in surgery over the past 20 years.'

BMA consultants' leader Jonathan Fielden said: 'Delivering care closer to patients' homes, safely, will require an investment in many of our existing district general hospitals, not the fragmentation and risk of closure some are currently facing.'

PFapr2007

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top