General Surgery of Childhood(GPS)

A Strategy for the FutureSu-Anna Boddy, FRCS

Chair, Children’s Surgical ForumRegional Representatives Day

10 November 2010

What is GPS?

Elective

• Inguinal hernia

• Umbilical herniotomy

• Orchidopexy for UDT

• Circumcision

• Minor soft tissue abnormalities

Emergency• Acute abdominal pain• Obstructed hernias• Acute scrotal

pathology• Minor trauma• Abscesses

The Problem - Threat to the Local Delivery of GPS

• Decline in the number of GPS cases performed in the DGH

• Decline of exposure to elective paediatric surgery cases in the training of general surgeons and urologists

• Trainees do not take up GPS modules

• Lack of succession planning - Current cohort of general surgeons and adult urologists approach retirement

• Pressure on specialist children’s hospitals

The Solution – Managed Clinical Networks

What are Managed Clinical Networks?

• Interconnected system of providers

• Not limited by boundaries

• Multidirectional flow (not hub & spoke)

• Contractual agreements specifying service requirements and outcomes

The Solution – Managed Clinical Networks

What Does a Managed Clinical Network offer?

• Common standards

• Integrated service

• Service planning

• Workforce planning

• Training

• Audit

Children’s Surgical Forum: Guidance to Commissioners and Service Planners

• CSF Guidance, July 2010: Ensuring the Provision of

General Paediatric Surgeryin the DGH

• Endorsed by: RCS, RCPCH, RCoA, BAPS,

APA, ASGBI, BAUS

Children’s Surgical Forum: Survey on GPS Service Provision in the DGH• Delivered by CSF – Funded by DH

• A map of GPS service across all hospitals in England

• Identifies which hospitals provide GPS and could therefore form part of a network

• Identifies which hospitals can provide training for adult surgeons with an interest in children’s surgery

Next Steps – A Strategy for the Future

Drawing on RCS Regional Networks:• Developing an in-depth understanding of specific GPS

issues and opportunities in the regions

Engaging with:• Commissioners• Providers• Specialist Advisory Committees• Trainee associations to highlight career opportunities

involving GPS• NHS Employers

Current Managed Clinical Networks

Where Clinical Director

Yorkshire Roly Squire

South West Janet MacNally

East of England Sue Deakin

What is happening in your region?

Please get in touch

Children’s Surgical Forum

CSForum@rcseng.ac.uk

0207 869 6213

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