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March 2014 Issue No. 282 ISSN 1747-728XThe Leading Independent Journal For ALL Operating Theatre Staff

2 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Northumbria Healthcare trust plan will boost medical teamsNorthumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is creating 40 new nursing and technical theatre jobs as the trust expands its workforce in preparation for the opening of a new hospital

Come and see Melyd Medical at Britspine 2014.

Th is year’s BritSpine is taking place from Wednesday, 2nd to Friday, 4th April 2014 at the Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick. Please come and meet us in the Butterworth Hall and see our latest innovative products for Spine Surgery.Melyd Medical Ltd was established in 1996 specialising in patient positioning, accessories and operating tables. Allen Medical produces some of our main products including the Allen Advance Table, with rotation, the Allen Flex Frame, the Allen Bow Frame and the C-Flex AP Vantage, for cervical traction. All are on show at BritSpine. For further information:

01244 660 954www.melydmedical.comPlease quote ‘OTJ’

Consultant Ravi Aragar, Modern Matron Dorothy Dickinson and Consultant Scott Muller

A health trust is investing more than £700,000 to signifi cantly expand its operating teams across the region.Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is creating 40 new nursing and technical theatre jobs as the trust expands its workforce in preparation for the opening of a new hospital.Next year, patients will have access to a specialist emergency care hospital in Cramlington, Northumberland, when it opens.Scott Muller, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is fantastic that we are expanding our workforce at such an exciting time. It is an unusual opportunity to be recruiting this amount of people at once, but we need the staff in place before the new hospital opens. We are looking for the best staff who will help build and enhance our team.”Operating theatre teams include consultant surgeons, anaesthetists, specialist theatre nurses, operating department practitioners, plaster technicians and surgeons’ assistants. Th e new roles will include opportunities to work across planned and emergency care and cover all aspects of surgery throughout the trust.Dorothy Dickinson, modern matron for operating theatres, said: “We need the right services for patients, and the right people in the right place at the right time to deliver the best care.”

Th e new investment will mean that the trust will not have to rely upon agency and bank staff to work shifts, saving money in the long-term.

Northumbria Healthcare will separate its emergency care from the planned elective care being carried out at is general hospitals in Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck when the specialist hospital is up and running.

Th eatre member Catherine Bainbridge has worked at Northumbria Healthcare since 2009 and is backing the major recruitment campaign.

She originally qualifi ed as an operating department practitioner before training with the trust to become a surgeon’s assistant. Now Catherine specialises in looking after patients undergoing hip and knee replacements at Hexham General Hospital and provides skilled assistance to the operating surgeon.

Th e 34-year-old said: “Th is recruitment drive is a fantastic opportunity for nurses with a passion for theatre work to join a real forward-thinking organisation which is focused on keeping pace with change, using the latest surgical techniques and delivering services that exceed our patients’ want.”

Northumbria Healthcare held two recruitment open days last month and hoped to attract the highest quality nurses from across the country.

Dr Eliot Sykes, consultant anaesthetist and clinical director of emergency surgery and elective care at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “Our surgical teams play a really important part in the overall patient journey – both for emergency patients and those choosing Northumbria for operations.

“We’re now hoping to attract the very best skilled theatre nurses from across the NHS to work together with our surgeons across all of our hospital sites.

“We would encourage any nurses interested in developing their career in theatres to come and meet us. We have a real variety of positions available for nurses to lead our theatre teams as well as those who are newly qualifi ed.”

Visit: www.northumbria.nhs.uk/theatrenurses for further information Source: Th e Journal

www.Opera ngpera ngTheatreheatreJobs.comobs.comA one-stop resource for ALL your theatre related Career opportuni es

View the latest vacancies online !

Theatre Practitioners Recovery Nurses Anaesthetic Nurses ODPs Scrub Practitioners Nurse Practitioners Medical Representatives

and Clinical Advisers

www.OOpera ngpera ngTTheatreheatreJJobs.comobs.comA one-stop resource for ALL your theatre related Career opportuni es

Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 282 March 2014 3

The next issue copy deadline, Tuesday 25th March 2014All enquiries: To the editorial team, The OTJ Lawrand Ltd, PO Box 51, Pontyclun, CF72 9YY Tel: 02921 680068 Email: admin@lawrand.com Website: www.lawrand.comThe Operating Theatre Journal is published twelve times per year. Available in electronic format from the website, www.otjonline.comand in hard copy to hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. Personal copies are available by nominal subscription.Neither the Editor or Directors of Lawrand Ltd are in any way responsible for the statements made or views expressed by the contributors. All communications in respect of advertising quotations, obtaining a rate card and supplying all editorial communications and pictures to the Editor at the PO Box address above. No part of this journal may be reproduced without prior permission from Lawrand Ltd. © 2014

Operating Theatre Journal is printed on paper sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved paper mills and is printed with vegetable based inks. All paper and ink waste is recycled.

Journal Printers: The Warwick Printing Co Ltd, Caswell Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. CV31 1QD

Pioneering heart operation performed for the fi rst time in Leicester

In a UK fi rst, experts from Glenfi eld Hospital have repaired a dysfunctional heart valve by inserting a tiny implant measuring just 23mm in size.

Th e pioneering system gives surgeons improved control of the valve throughout the keyhole procedure, enabling increased precision and the ability to reposition or retrieve the valve, even after insertion if necessary.

Th e Lotus Valve System was used in a TAVI (Trans catheter aortic valve implants) procedure to treat aortic stenosis in November 2013. It is less invasive than open heart surgery and does not require general anaesthetic, meaning the patient is fully conscious throughout.

Aortic stenosis is a life-threatening condition where thickening and stiff ening in the heart valve prevents it from opening and closing as it should. It aff ects approximately three percent of the population over the age of 65 and fi ve percent of people older than 75.

Dr Jan Kovac, consultant cardiologist at Leicesters Hospitals, said: It is great to be part of the fi rst team in the UK to successfully use the Lotus Valve System. Th is is further recognition of the work done by the pioneering cardiac team at Glenfi eld Hospital.

Multiple specialities, including the cardiology team, cardiac surgeons, radiology, nurses and anaesthetic support, worked closely together to successfully carry out this procedure.

Jan continued: Th is new generation of keyhole surgery further expands options for future patients.

Until recently there were no or very limited options to help those with this life limiting condition, who are considered inoperable or too high risk for cardiac surgery.

Developed and produced by leading medical solutions company, Boston Scientifi c, the Lotus Valve System also employs a unique Adaptive Seal feature, designed to minimise the Paravalvular Leakage (PVL). PVL is a complication associated with implantation of a prosthetic heart valve and is one of the main causes of death in heart valve replacement procedures.

Jane Healy, vice president of Medical Aff airs at Boston Scientifi c, said: Th e Lotus Valve System off ers a unique and eff ective new treatment alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk with surgical valve replacement. Th is is the fi rst commercial implant of the valve in the UK following our CE mark approval in October 2013 and we are delighted to off er our congratulations to the team at Glenfi eld Hospital.

Th e fi rst patient who underwent this ground-breaking surgery in November 2013 was Mrs Elizabeth Rowland, 84, from Leicestershire. Elizabeth could hardly walk before the surgery but having recovered extremely well, she can now walk around freely.

Elizabeth comments: Im so pleased to have had this operation - it has given me a new lease of life. I can move about more and I dont need quite so much medication. Th e care I received was excellent too, everyone was lovely. Im pleased to be one of the fi rst in the UK to have this procedure.

Th e cardiac department at Glenfi eld Hospital treat patients from the East Midlands, as well as patients from across the UK and overseas.

Standardise, Educate, HarmoniseCommissioning the conditions for safer surgery

Summary of the report of the NHS England Events TaskforceFebruary 2014 Th e summary may be located here: http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sur-nev-ev-tf-sum-rep.pdf

PROFESSOR SIR BRUCE KEOGH CHALLENGES PATIENTS, NHS STAFF, INDUSTRY LEADERS AND POLITICIANS TO RADICALLY CHANGE THE WAY

THEY DEAL WITH HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Francis inquiry: One year onOne year on from the Francis inquiry in to events at Mid Staff ordshire NHS Foundation Trust, Mary Agnew, Deputy Director of the Department of Health Francis implementation team talks about the ‘seismic’ impact of the inquiry.In her latest blog Mary reveals that there was some anxiety about whether other organisations across health and care would take a ‘that could never happen here’ approach.She goes on to say that the response has in fact been the opposite, citing a ‘mature, refl ective self-scrutiny in which organisations have recognised that dark spots can exist in otherwise excellent organisations and that there is always more to learn and improve to deliver safer, more compassionate patient-centred care.’Mary gives her own personal insights from the last year and sets out her priorities for 2014.You can read Mary’s blog -https://maryagnew.blog.gov.uk/Find out more about the government’s response to the Francis inquiry http://francisresponse.dh.gov.uk/And view Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt’s message to NHS staff one year on from the Francis report - https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/jeremy-hunt-message-to-nhs-staff -one-year-on-from-francis-report

NHS Englands’ Medical Director has challenged patients, NHS staff , industry leaders and politicians to radically change the way they deal with healthcare services.Making the fi rst key speech of the NHS Health and Care Innovation Expo, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh said everyone involved in the NHS had to play their part in making sure the service can deal with the quadruple pincer of diffi cult increasing demand, escalating costs, a tightened fi scal environment and increasing patient expectations.Looking back to the establishment of the NHS in the aftermath of the Second World War, Sir Bruce said the current diffi cult times, if handled in the right way, could herald a new era of innovation and development. He reminded representatives from right across the health and social care sector of Englands unique environment supporting science and innovation, fostering more than twice as many Nobel prizes for Medicine and Physiology per capita in this country than anywhere else in the world.Sir Bruce said: To patients, I say be more confi dent and more assertive do your research, don’t be shy to ask questions and, crucially, don’t be shy to take charge.

To front-line clinical and managerial staff , I say please, do not aspire to mediocrity. I hear people talk about meeting the European average.

I have no interest in meeting the European average and I hope you don’t either. We need to always aspire to excellence and must not be constrained to the normal, the usual, the middle of the pack.

Push the boundaries. Do not ignore cost, but seek value because it is through value that we will acquire the best possible treatment for everyone. Show courage, and give each other permission to try new things. Take risks with processes, but not with clinical outcomes. And through all of this, help turn taxpayers money into good clinical outcomes.

Sir Bruce called on industry leaders to do business in the UK, hailing low corporation tax that reduces further for profi ts earned on UK international patents and gives signifi cant tax rebate for research expenditure as remarkable incentive for innovation.

He challenged politicians to develop policies that unleash rather than constrain the intellectual capital of the NHSs 1.4 million staff .

4 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

KARL STORZ AND NUFFIELD HEALTH, GUILDFORD – FACILITATING TEACHING AND LEARNING TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL

KARL STORZ has recently completed another project with Nuffi eld Health, this time at its Guildford Hospital. Th is is the latest in a long line of projects KARL STORZ has undertaken with the company, including installing its fl agship OR1TM NEO operating theatre in several Nuffi eld Health hospitals including the Chesterfi eld Nuffi eld and Plymouth Nuffi eld.

Nuffi eld Health Guildford Hospital was keen to increase the number of patients it could treat, increase effi ciency and broaden its range of facilities. To this end, the decision was made to update the hospital’s theatre environment to include the latest technology, facilitating the functionality and fl exibility necessary to perform increasingly complex laparoscopic surgery and, in turn, off er even better infection prevention and reduced patient recovery times. Packed full of innovation and integrated services for endoscopic surgery, an OR1TM NEO operating theatre from KARL STORZ was the perfect solution.

However, KARL STORZ’s input did not stop at the installation of the OR1TM NEO: the hospital also asked the company to design and install an element unique to a UK private hospital – a communications link streaming live surgery to the internationally recognized Minimal Access Th erapy Unit (MATTU), or any other agreed destination.MATTU is a centre of excellence created for the teaching of innovative laparoscopic surgical techniques. It is led by consultants Professor Michael Bailey and Professor Timothy Rockall, recognized throughout the world for their expertise in this innovative fi eld, and runs over 60 courses a year off ering world-class teaching in all aspects of minimal access surgery. Th e communications link between the KARL STORZ OR1TM NEO theatre and MATTU uses the latest technology to stream live surgery in full High Defi nition 1080p quality with associated two-way audio capacity, facilitating teaching and learning to its highest level.

“With the installation of the very latest KARL STORZ digital theatre here at the Guildford Nuffi eld, we are now able to off er a really exciting and optimal surgical environment for complex laparoscopic surgery to take place. Th ere are benefi ts for the surgeons and the whole theatre team but most importantly patients can be assured that they are receiving their medical care in the very best, most effi cient and safest surgical environment. Th e new environment improves surgical effi ciency, reduces some risks and gives the surgeon the best high defi nition imaging that modern technology can off er.”Professor Timothy Rockall, Specialist Bowel and

Liver Surgeon

“Nuffi eld Health is keen to ensure we stay ahead of surgical trends and continue to off er a premium service to our patients. Having a state of the art digital theatre within our Hospital enables us to rival London and other leading centres in terms of our surgical capability and outcomes.”

Matthew Dronsfi eld, Director, Nuffi eld Health Guildford Hospital

KARL STORZ Endoscopy Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 1753 503500 www.karlstorz.com

When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’

Third of trusts in breach of sharps rules

A third of hospital trusts in England are failing to comply with safety regulations designed to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries to nurses and other frontline staff , according to latest research.Analysts found 33 per cent of trusts did not instruct staff to use safety devices “wherever possible” in their sharps policies, despite it being an explicit requirement of health and safety regulations introduced last year on the back of a European Union directive.A report from business analysts MindMetre investigated the implementation of directive 2010/32/EU, which came into force in May 2010, and was followed by UK guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. Using the Freedom of Information Act, the analysts obtained details of safety policies from 159 hospital trusts. Th eir report said: “Th e emerging picture is one of widespread progress towards adoption and compliance, but also one which shows that there is considerable ground yet to be covered.”

It noted that most trust are “demonstrating their concern of staff safety with tangible action”. For example, 84 per cent of trusts had revised and published their sharps policy in light of the EU directive.However, it highlighted that this still left a “remnant” of 16 per cent of trusts – more than one in 10 – that had no plans in place to revise their sharps policy in the light of the new regulations.It said some had claimed their existing policies required no revision, while others had simply stated that no revision was planned.“Given that sharps policy revisions have been deemed necessary by the majority of trusts, including the signifi cant minority of pioneering institutions, it does not seem credible that any trust should require no policy revisions at all,” the report warned. “Scrutiny from the regulatory authorities, which is already active, will, hopefully, decide the matter.”

In addition, it found 59 per cent of trusts instructed staff to use safety devices “wherever possible” and a further 8 per cent did so but with the caveat that such products may not be available in some treatment categories. Th e remainder, however, relied on the judgment of clinical staff , it said.

Th e categories most often cited as having safety device use mandated were cannulation and phlebotomy. Th is was despite the most common devices involved in sharps injuries being syringes and hypodermic needles having the greatest potential for deep injuries.

Th e report stated: “Th ere remains a proportion of trusts – around one sixth – that have not revised their sharps policies. Moreover, one third of trusts are not encouraging their staff to use safety devices ‘wherever possible’, despite this being a clear piece of guidance in the relevant regulation.”

Th e analysts said they would be following up the investigation later this year “to track further progress”. In addition, they are considering looking into sharps policies in the private sector and community settings, where they said “anecdotal evidence suggests that the focus is not as strong”. Th e directive’s implementation brought to a close a legislative process dating back to 2005. As well as safer sharps, it requires employers to prevent the recapping of needles, train staff in the correct use and disposal of sharps and provide information to them on needlestick injuries.Th e directive applies to NHS, private and voluntary sector employers and staff , including contractors such as bank nurses. However, it does not cover residential care homes, prisons or schools.Sharps injuries account for 17 per cent of NHS staff injuries and at least 17 healthcare workers were infected with hepatitis C as a result of one between 1996 and 2009.

Source: HSJ – Steve Ford

Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 282 March 2014 5

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Innovative Technology – Practically Applied

New Metavision ICNARC/CCMDS Module now available with Fukuda Denshi’s

Dynascope range of patient monitorsFukuda Denshi is a leading supplier of advanced patient monitoring and user-confi gurable clinical information management systems, as well as cardiac monitoring and imaging technology. Th e company are pleased to announce the new Metavision ICU ICNARC/CCMDS Module as an integral addition to the iMDsoft Clinical Information System.Th e Metavision Clinical Information System teamed with Fukuda Denshi’s

renowned Dynascope range of Critical Care Patient Monitors collects minute by minute data direct from patient connected devices and hospital wide systems and can be fully customised to

the specifi c workfl ow and needs of any unit.Th e Metavision ICNARC/CCMDS module promotes improvement in the organisation and practice of Critical Care, helping to improve patient outcomes through

the provision of comparative automated audit and data collection.

ICNARC (Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre) was established to improve

the organisation and practice of critical care, including intensive and high dependency care, through a broad programme of audit and research. CCMDS is consistent with the ICNARC data collection and provides a standardised set of data to provide key analysis across a variety of parameters.Together with Fukuda Denshi’s Dynascope patient monitors, the Metavision ICU ICNARC/CCMDS Module delivers a powerful and dynamic solution for the modern critical care environment.For further information or a demonstration, please contact Fukuda Denshi 01483 728065 or visit www.fukuda.co.uk.Fukuda Denshi: Healthcare bound by technology. Please quote ‘OTJ’

Police investigate patient deaths in Worcestershire

A police investigation has been launched into the deaths of a number of patients who were under the care of a consultant surgeon.Sudip Sarker worked as a consultant colorectal surgeon at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.West Mercia Police said it began the investigation after receiving a letter in December.It said the deaths of three patients, whose joint inquest was adjourned last year, formed part of the inquiry.Mr Sarker worked at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch from August 2011 but was suspended in October 2012.‘Complex matter’Supt Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, said: “We were made aware that there were a number of concerns in relation to the deaths of patients in 2012 who had been under Mr Sarker’s care.“We are in the early stages of obtaining the relevant information from hospitals and other health organisations in order to conduct our investigation.”Th e trust said at the time of Mr Sarker’s suspension that “a number of concerns” had been raised about him.Mr Purcell said the families of the three patients who had died were being kept updated.“Th is is a complex matter which will undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time to investigate thoroughly,” he added.‘Swiftly and responsibly’Th e General Medical Council said it had obtained an interim order restricting where Mr Sarker could practise, but did not stop him working altogether.A spokesman said they could not confi rm where, or if, he is currently employed.Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said it “would like to reassure patients and their relatives that as soon as it became aware there was a potential problem the trust acted swiftly and responsibly”.It said a review of patients that had come into contact with Mr Sarker was taking place.It also said an inquiry line and dedicated email address had been set up for people to discuss any concerns.

Source: BBC

6 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Employers welcome the GMCs proposals for more robust NHS language checksResponding to the General Medical Councils consultation report Making sure all licensed doctors have the necessary knowledge of English to practise safely in the UK (published today) and its aim to raise requirements for testing European doctors language skills, Bill McMillan, head of medical pay and workforce at the NHS Employers organisation, said:Employers have told us that they overwhelmingly support the GMCs conclusions and, in particular, its aim to regulate doctors from Europe to the same language standard as those from further afi eld. Th ese are proportionate, sensible proposals that put patients fi rst by giving employers more power to ensure all NHS doctors can communicate well in English.

Th e GMCs report takes account of compelling input from NHS employers, 98 per cent of whom said they want the GMC to have the power to address serious language concerns with a formal language assessment. Also 96 per cent of employers wanted language requirements for doctors from Europe to match those from elsewhere.

“Health and care professionals from other countries make a huge contribution to the NHS and NHS patients will continue to benefi t from skills and expertise developed overseas.

However, it is essential that all staff are able to communicate with their patients and colleagues safely and eff ectively in English, both orally and in writing, in whatever role they undertake, whether in clinical or support services.

Language checks in their current form are improving and widely seen as robust, so it is important that they be applied consistently by employers across all jobs - regardless of where the staff are recruited from.

NHS Employers invited employing organisations to submit their views to the GMCs consultation via an online survey. Th ese included:

• 96 per cent agreed that it is fair and proportionate to require the same evidence of English language profi ciency from European Economic Area doctors as international medical graduates.

• 94 per cent agreed that doctors who are unable or unwilling to show they have the necessary knowledge of English to work safely in the UK should be refused a licence to practise.

• 98 per cent agreed that if there is a serious concern about a registered doctors knowledge of English, [the GMC] should have the power to require a doctor to undergo a language assessment.

• 92 per cent agreed that the GMC should be able to indefi nitely suspend doctors who fail over time to acquire the necessary knowledge of English to safely treat patients in the UK.

Th e GMC are now considering the fi ndings of the report and will be working with the Department of Health to fi nalise the rules and regulations throughout the fi rst half of 2014.See this link for more information about employers views submitted to the GMC:

http://www.nhsemployers.org/PlanningYourWorkforce/MedicalWorkforce/Latest-news/Pages/Language-skills-EEA-doctors.aspx

The Rise and Fall of the NHS: Authoritative New Book Asks – Can the NHS be Saved, or is its Condition Terminal?For more than 60 years Britons have relied on the NHS to keep us healthy, but now it seems sicker than many of its patients. In this new book, a highly eminent physician brings his diagnostic skill to bear on the NHS itself. It will be essential reading for all who care about the nation’s health.

United Kingdom – Th e National Health Service, one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century, may soon be no more.

Now the NHS is imminently threatened with destruction, it is the responsibility of someone who knows the NHS intimately and cares about it to diagnose what has gone wrong with it, “to tell it how it is” and to propose a practical course of action that could save it from destruction by uninformed political interference, resources being wasted on excessive, damaging and unnecessary bureaucracy, management instead of true leadership, and multiple predators who will gain from its demise.

Professor Donald Longmore is an expert in diagnosis, and in this book he applies his skills to the largest patient of all: the NHS itself.

Synopsis:Th e NHS, that once-noble organisation, which at fi rst signifi cantly increased our life expectancy by an average of 5.2 years, is now actually responsible, in some areas, for an increasing death rate and has been reduced to headline scandals and becoming the butt of cartoonists.

Th e sad thing is that the NHS may soon be no more. Th e Prime Minister and the Secretary of State have fought a health bill through Parliament, believing that it will improve the service and reduce the cost. It seemed that those who drafted the Health Bill could not come up with a worse structure – but they have. Th e NHS is the world’s fourth biggest employer with over 1.4 million staff . Of these just 617,500 work on the front line. Th is leaves an excess of 782,500. Who are they? What do they contribute to the nation’s health?

Applying medical diagnostic techniques, distinguishing between diseases you are born with and ones you get, it appears that the problem is the malignant new growth of bureaucrats following many politically-motivated reorganisations.

Urgent treatment is required. A doctor treating a patient knows that there are four possible outcomes: the patient can get better, stay the same, get worse, or die. So it is with the eff ects of the Health Bill. Each key element is examined to see if it will make the NHS better, stay the same, get worse or be handed over to the predatory private health organisations circling round, ready to pick off the lucrative bits. At stake is the future health of the nation, over 7% of our national wealth and electoral defeat or victory. A likely outcome of the drive to foster competition and license providers is multiple commercial medical contractors taking over the service, overseen ineff ectually by an Ofhealth watch, like Ofcom or Ofgen.

Th e NHS was one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century and was envied as the best in the world. But successive governments have “reorganised” the service and the result is an unsustainable organisation.

What reviewers are saying:“Th is book, which is an informative and authoritative read concerning the initial establishment and now the slow decline of the NHS, certainly has my imprimatur.” (Sir Peter Mansfi eld, Nobel Laureate FRS)

“In Th e Rise and Fall of the NHS Donald Longmore has identifi ed, as have the great majority of his contemporary colleagues, that the NHS has long since passed its fi nest hour.” (Sir Stanley Simmons KtB, FRCSEd. Past President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists)

“Th e book is a mixture of the (often hilarious) personal reminiscences of a doctor (and later eminent surgeon) before and during the formation of the NHS, and his subsequent disillusionment with a body that has become bloated, bureaucratic and ineffi cient to the point where it is putting ordinary patients health at risk - exactly the opposite eff ect that was intended. Not content with purely bemoaning the current situation, Professor Longmore off ers some practical solutions that could make the NHS the envy of the world once more.” (A patient)

Th e Rise and Fall of the NHS by Donald Longman is available now in paperback from Amazon at £23.

About the Author:Professor Donald Longmore, OBE, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists, was born in 1928. He trained in orthopaedic surgery and open heart surgery before developing an interest in early diagnosis and the use of computers to enhance diagnostic techniques.

He co-founded the Coronary Artery Disease Research Association (CORDA). Realising that that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) could be developed suffi ciently to achieve most of CORDA’s objectives, he then trained in physics and founded and partially personally funded the Royal Brompton CORDA Magnetic Resonance Unit, which is now one of the world’s leading clinical and research centres. He still works on the development of more practical, cheaper and more patient-acceptable magnetic resonance and other diagnostic machines.

Donald Longmore is a keen yachtsman and his other interests include skiing, vintage cars, restoring historic boats and making things.

When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’

Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 282 March 2014 7

Rediscover space and movementDiscovery IGS 730

GE Healthcare

The Discovery* IGS 730 angiography system brings both extremely high-quality imaging and complete workspace freedom to the hybrid operating room. Its unique mobile platform brings all the power of a fixed imaging system to the table, yet it can be moved aside, so multi-disciplinary teams can complete procedures comfortably, with unobstructed access to patients. High-end fluoroscopy image guidance, advanced applications, 3D image fusion – it all comes on a sophisticated gantry that travels on predefined paths with laser-guided precision. Now one room accommodates a wide range of endovascular, cardiac, hybrid and open surgical procedures, free of interference from fixed floor or ceiling system structures.

* Trademark of General Electric Company

For further information please contact David Britton at GE Healthcare.e-mail : david.britton@ge.comTel 07831697463

Digni Products Success Continues

Following an initial trial Digni Underwear went on sale last June and are now being supplied to eight Nuffi eld Hospitals, BMI Healthcare and also three separate NHS trust in England as well as being added to the supplies register of another large private hospital group.

Hospital trials continue in other hospital trusts.

Patient feedback has been positive, as has testimonials from hospitals consultants:“Th e Digni Bra and pants are an excellent innovation. Th e deep blue colour makes the pants opaque and negates the ability to see through to the body parts which is a problem with the commonly used white variety. Th is aff ords greater dignity for both male and female patients.

Th e bra is an excellent introduction and gives female patients greater dignity especially for upper limb surgery. Th e design gives very good fl exibility ensuring both large and small breasted patients can use. One size fi ts all. My patients appreciate greatly the new Digni Bra and pants”.

Dr. M. Cobley FRCA

For further information visit www.digniproducts.com

Safer Moving and Handling in the Perioperative Environment.

National Back Exchange (NBE) are pleased to announce that the 4th book in their Professional Series - Safer Moving and Handling in the Perioperative Environment.

Th is book has been developed to provide a practical guide to safer moving and handling in the Perioperative Environment. Techniques and equipment are illustrated throughout.

Nicky Sharpe, Kath Briody and Simon Love are qualifi ed clinicians and registered members of NBE. Th ey all have a specifi c interest in moving and handling in Th eatres and are all members of the Northern Th eatre Special Interest group. Th e authors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this publication, which they have gained over many years from working in this environment providing training and solutions to complex problems. Th is publication is the fi rst to pull together best practice in moving and handling in Perioperative environment.

Price: £25

To get your copy and for more information please visit our website: www.nationalbackexchange.org.uk

Th is publication is a useful tool to allow Managers to undertake baseline assessments and to produce evidenced based information to show that their organisations are complying with legislation and meeting the requirements of both the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and NHSLA assessments.

In particular:CQC’s Provider Compliance assessments: Outcome 11 (Regulation 16) Safety, availability and suitability of equipment and Outcome 12 (Regualtion21) Requirements relating to workers.

NHSLA’s Risk Management Standards: Standard 3 - Competent and Capable workforce and Standard 4 - Safe Environment

ur website:

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8 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Smiths Medical Keeping Healthcare Professionals Safe

Smiths Medical, a specialist in safety solutions, is committed to the safety of healthcare professionals.

It has a comprehensive range of sharps injury protection devices to support this commitment and that adhere to the EU Directive 2010 on the prevention of sharps injuries in the healthcare sector.

Every day healthcare professionals are faced with the risks posed by accidental needlestick injuries. Needlesticks still pose the greatest occupational risk for transmitting HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV). Intravenous (I.V.) catheter needles are associated with the greatest incidence of high-risk needlestick injuries1,2.

Hospitals can use a range of measures to reduce the devastating consequences of needlestick and sharps injuries, including adopting education and training protocols and using safer devices. Smiths Medical works closely with the medical community to reduce sharps injuries, enhance patient care and provide innovative products. From blood collection and blood sampling through to medication delivery and catheter securement devices, Smiths Medical’s clinically proven safety devices suit healthcare professionals’ needs.

Th e PROTECTIV® I.V. Catheter was the fi rst I.V. catheter introduced into the market in 1989, which helped spearhead the movement towards safety devices. Th e Jelco IntuitIV Safety Catheter™ is one of Smiths Medical’s latest product launches, which enables healthcare professionals to experience the comfort and simplicity of a conventional I.V. catheter along with the added benefi ts of needlestick protection with passive activation. All have been designed to reduce percutaneous injuries. Th e catheters feature a thin wall design that optimises fl ow rate potential for each gauge size, allowing the clinician to choose a smaller catheter without compromising on fl ow rates. Th e precision bevelled catheter tip, and optimally engineered needle, assist in establishing a smooth insertion resulting in less trauma for the patient.

PROTECTIV® I.V. Catheters also feature a catheter protection system, which is easy to use and enables one-handed insertion. Th e eff ectiveness of the safety system has been proven to reduce catheter related injuries by 84%2.

Needle-Pro® Safety Device and Colour Coded Needle-Pro® Edge™ are safety hypodermic needles suitable for injections, blood draw and arterial blood sampling. Th e administration of medications through hypodermic injections is one of the most common procedures performed in a clinical setting and, as a result, poses a high risk of needlestick injuries.

Th e greatest safety risk occurs immediately following an injection and before disposal. In order to provide clinicians with a safer method of protection from contaminated needles,

Smiths Medical introduced Hypodermic Needle-Pro® and Needle-Pro® Edge™ safety devices that have been specifi cally designed to reduce the risk of needlestick injury during an injection procedure.

All Needle-Pro® devices can be used one handed in a one-step activation procedure, which is the preferred method and recommended by the Safer Needle Network / Partnership for Occupational Safety and Health in Health Care 2010. Needle-Pro® Edge™ safety devices enable clinicians to safely and securely encapsulate the needle once used. Needle-Pro® Edge™ devices are colour coded, designed to make it very easy to identify the correct needle gauge size and have no added ‘dead space’, compared to a standard needle. Th e bevel orientation is fi xed in an ‘up’ position and with the safety sheath locked at the 3 o’clock position.

Glen Johnson, UK Marketing Manager, Smiths Medical, says: “We recognise that the threat of bloodborne pathogens exposure to clinical healthcare workers is a major concern and are committed to providing eff ective safety devices to reduce potential injuries. Many of our brands are the fi rst choice of clinical healthcare workers because they are innovative, eff ective, good quality and they aim to protect the safety of healthcare professionals. Because we work with the medical community, and truly listen to their views, we are able to deliver devices that fi t perfectly and meet the needs of those who use them.”

For more information on Smiths Medical safety devices, contact Glen Johnson, UK Marketing Manager at Smiths Medical, on 01303 260 551 or log on to www.jelcointuitiv.com

References:1. Ippolito G et al. Prevention Management and

Chemoprophylaxis of Occupational Exposure to HIV International Health Care Worker Safety Center and Advances in Exposure Prevention, University of Virginia 1997.

2. Reducing Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens: Where Do We Stand a Decade Later? Author(s): Janine Jagger. Source: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Vol. 17, No. 9 (Sep., 1996), pp. 573-575. Published by: Th e University of Chicago Press on behalf of Th e Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Stable.

Smiths Medical - www.smiths-medical.com

Jelco IntuitIV Safety Catheters™

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Hand Hygiene Solutions: Healthcare-acquired Infections Fuel Uptake in Western Europe,

Says Frost & Sullivan Automated compliance monitoring devices lend momentum to the market, which is expected to reach $680.8 million in 2019 Th e need to prevent and control healthcare acquired infections (HCAI) across Europe, which results in 4.5 to 5 million cases annually, is driving the hand hygiene market in Western Europe. Outbreaks of norovirus and bird fl u over the past fi ve years have also served to highlight the importance of hand hygiene in containing infectious diseases. Hand hygiene product manufacturers should take advantage of these trends by off ering a one-stop solution for all disinfection requirements. New analysis from Frost & Sullivans Hand Hygiene Market in Western Europe research fi nds the market earned revenue of $415.4 million in 2013 and estimates this to reach $680.8 million in 2019. Th e research covers hand wash, hand disinfectant and surgical hand antisepsis products across the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Benelux and Scandinavia. Alcohol-based hand rubs are expected to become the most popular solution in the hand disinfectant and surgical hand antisepsis segments due to its proven effi ciency and ease of use. Adoption of hand hygiene compliance monitoring (HHCM) devices in hospitals across Western Europe is improving compliance levels considerably, thereby fuelling market revenues, says Frost & Sullivan Healthcare Research Analyst Parthasarathy Raghava. Th e market will see a host of opportunities as automatic HHCM technology is integrated with most automated and manual dispensers to become a standard across all hospitals in the next fi ve to seven years. Government initiatives also help boost the market. Th ese include the launch of the World Health Organisations Clean Care is Safer Care program that focuses on HCAI prevention and patient safety through the practice of hand hygiene techniques as well as the eff ective disinfection of the hospital environment. Various national awareness programmes and campaigns further improve hand hygiene compliance by reinforcing patients right to enquire and insist on hand hygiene in healthcare settings. However, market potential varies across the countries in Western Europe. Inadequate awareness, education, and training on the signifi cance of hand hygiene, along with the lack of standard regulations for hand hygiene in the healthcare sector are proving to be market restraints. Manufacturers should off er a wide range of hand hygiene products at competitive prices to expand their customer base in Western Europe, concludes Raghava. Th ey must also have a thorough understanding of the market dynamics and win the confi dence of health authorities in each country so as to augment their market share across the region. Hand Hygiene Market in Western Europe is part of the Advanced Medical Technologies (http://www.medtech.frost.com) Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivans related studies include: Disinfection and Sterilization Equipment Market Trends in Asia-Pacifi c, Image-guided Surgery and Robot-assisted Surgery Market in Asia-Pacifi c, and Western European Infusion Pumps Market. All studies included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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10 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

P3 Medical to distribute innovative wireless ultrasound system to anaesthesiologists

Siemens Healthcare has announced that P3 Medical will be distributing the ACUSON Freestyle, its innovative wireless ultrasound system, to operating room (OR) and anaesthetic departments across the UK. Th e fi rst part of its marketing strategy was a launch to anaesthesiologists at the Churchill War Rooms in London. Th e event featured speakers from the University of Dundee and Papworth Hospital, the fi rst users of the system in the UK, who spoke to delegates about their experiences.

Th e ACUSON Freestyle is the worlds fi rst ultrasound system that has wireless, cable-free transducers which provide unique infection control benefi ts. Th e system uses transducers that can be operated up to three metres from the system for maximum freedom and ease-of-use. Th ree diff erent types of wireless transducer have been developed for the system, covering a wide range of imaging procedures. Th ese integrate control over image settings, freeing staff that would otherwise be needed to operate controls.

Graeme Houston, Professor of Clinical Imaging & Intervention at University of Dundee spoke at the event about his experience of the Freestyle: We have been using the Freestyle for many procedures such as biopsies, drainages, vascular occlusion and embolisations. Th e sterile transducers have been very useful, negating the need to wrap wires and signifi cantly lowering the contamination risk in the interventional environment. We see the key advantages as size, mobility, image display, sterility, ergonomics and excellent image quality.

Florian Falter, Consultant Anaesthetist at Papworth Hospital is the fi rst to use the Freestyle system for anaesthetic and intensive care as well as intra-operative procedures: Th e ease-of-use of the ACUSON Freestyle has been a great advantage with a set up that enables a scrub nurse to follow a cardiac case and set up the probe at the same time. Th e probe is ready to use quickly and you can get a very good image of the aorta so you can see clearly where plaques are sitting. Overall, ease of set up, image quality and versatility are the key benefi ts of the Freestyle.

Simon Talbot, Managing Director at P3 Medical states, We are pleased to work in conjunction with Siemens Healthcare to launch the ACUSON Freestyle to anaesthesiologists. Th is innovative technology will have a huge impact on the market.

David Wilkins, Divisional Director, Clinical Products at Siemens Healthcare adds, It has been great to hear the fi rst clinical experiences of the ACUSON Freestyle at Papworth and Dundee and how the wireless technology is supporting customers. We look forward to working with P3 Medical and the benefi ts that the ACUSON Freestyle will off er in the OR marketplace.

http://www.siemens.co.uk/healthcare.

Simon Talbot, Managing Director at P3 Medical speaks at the UK launch of the ACUSON Freestyle about the new distribution partnership with Siemens Healthcare.

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HC Skills course endorsed by anaesthetists

A SIGNIFICANT endorsement of HC Skills International has come from the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.The AAGBI, which is the professional body that represents more than 10,500 anaesthetists across the British Isles, has of cially recognised a new training course developed by HCS for industry organisation Barema.Barema is the premier UK organisation representing the interests of companies providing anaesthetic and respiratory medical device support to clinicians and has worked in partnership with HCS to develop a training programme that meets requirements speci c to its eld of expertise.In a rst for Barema and for the AAGBI the new training course has won AAGBI’s full endorsement.This means that individuals successfully completing the course will be able to display the AAGBI logo and be recognised by members of the anaesthetic profession as being fully trained to work in operating theatres and the critical care environment.To gain endorsement, medtech trainers HC Skills International and Barema worked closely with AAGBI while drawing up learning objectives of the course and had AAGBI Honorary Secretary Dr Richard Grif ths attend the inaugural training day on October 11 at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.The AAGBI has committed to promoting the course the Barema Professional Theatre Access Quali cation in Anaesthetics and Critical Care, to give it its full name to all of its members and to strongly encourage them to demand evidence of training when company reps are present in clinical areas. A key part of Barema’s mission is to, “maintain the anaesthetic and respiratory sector’s enviable reputation for exceptionally high levels of quality, safety and reliability”.The next course, run in partnership with Healthcare Skills, will take place in April 2014.In August, HC Skills International announced that it had developed in conjunction with Barema a customised course for members of the organisation who are required to be present in operating theatres, intensive care units and other clinical departments to provide technical support for staff using equipment developed by medical technology rms.Achievement of this new quali cation ensures that:• THE duty of care to patients is not compromised. • SPECIFIC knowledge and understanding has been acquired to demonstrate competence in clinical areas.

• THE legal and reputational position of the individual as well as that of the employer is safe.

• THE legal position of the hospital has not been jeopardised.

HC Skills, which has led training and quali cation access programmes for more than 7,000 industry professionals in a host of disciplines, is based at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank, near Glasgow, and is a training partner of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Director Diane Irvine said: In todays environment, there is an increased appetite for compliance. Standards of company training in the medtech industry need to remain high which is where we come in.

A spokesman for Barema said: There is a host of courses available to our members however, the one we have committed to with HC Skills will see medical device company reps trained and quali ed to a level we can support, and It will be tailored to the anaesthetic and respiratory sector.

Under the prevailing legal conditions in the United Kingdom, no law is broken when medical device company representatives are present in hospital clinical areas. However, those individuals are required to know and understand the protocols which apply in clinical areas, including those pertaining to patient safety, inoculations, background checks, drug tests, infection control, data protection and other relevant factors.

Yet there is no standardisation among hospitals health boards and trusts of what they require in terms of formal quali cations from external representatives, which creates confusion and disorganisation between hospitals and companies.

This is a key problem, because external employees who are required to be present in clinical areas present an unquanti able legal risk to themselves, their employers and the hospital.

There are signi cant risks inherent in the presence in clinical areas of medical devices company representatives, who are a non-contracted third parties able only to justify their role in a practical sense not in legal or professional terms.

Recognised quali cations reduce or eliminate legal risks to hospital managements and to the medical device company plus they legitimise the product specialists extended role.

All HC Skills courses result in government-recognised, externally validated, competence-based quali cations, which ensure that the role of the medical technology companies and their representatives are not compromised.

Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 282 March 2014 11

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The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP)Celebrating 50 years leading perioperative care.

AfPP was founded in 1964 as the National Association of Theatre Nurses by Daisy Ayris who was apassionate ambassador for excellence in patient care. She saw the merit of bringing together likeminded clinicians and received an MBE in recognition of her work. Over the last 50 years AfPP hascontinued her legacy shaping and developing perioperative care by supporting our members, whoare theatre practitioners, to be the best at what they do and we have developed a UK widereputation for setting and leading on standards of perioperative care.

During that time, AfPP have championed the introduction of the World Health Organisation checklistand ‘Patient Safety First’ campaign, lobbied parliament to raise awareness and influence policy,consulted on perioperative care for Government departments and most importantly providededucation, training, advice and support to those working within the perioperative environment.

At the heart of our ethos is a clear focus on patient safety and we believe that enhancingpractitioners’ knowledge along with awareness of best practice, standards, guidelines and key issueshas a major impact on improving perioperative care. In line with these educational objectives and tohelp celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are holding two fantastic weekend residential eventsconcentrating on our theme ‘Looking back, moving forward’. Incorporating interactive workshops,panel discussions, satirical sessions and social evenings, these events offer excellent and affordableeducation in a fun and social environment.

Why not join us on our journey and help to improve the next 50 years of perioperative care?

BRIGHTON, University of Sussex 20 22 June 2014YORK, University of York 15 17 August 2014

Weekend Residential prices from only £120 per person*, includes accommodation, education,Gala Dinner, food and refreshments.

To find out more or to book call 01423 881300 or go to our websitewww.afpp.org.uk/events/residentials

*refers to AfPP member early bird rate (early bird places are limited)

If you would like more information on our study day programme or to discuss a bespoke package oflearning for your theatre team please contact Pauline Thompson, AfPP events team, on 01423881300.

Infection spate shuts Shef eld

theatresTwo operating theatres at a Sheffi eld hospital will be shut for months after a spate of infections among patients.Th e facilities at the Royal Hallamshire were closed after more than 20 patients who underwent hip or knee replacements developed deep wound infections.A Health Protection Agency expert called in to help investigate said ventilation systems were working correctly and medics were not at fault – but an ante-room shared by the theatres might be increasing the risk of bacteria spreading.Measures are now being planned to reorganise Th eatres 3 and 4, with work expected to be complete by September.Patients booked in for hip or knee surgery are instead undergoing procedures at the Northern General, the private Th ornbury Hospital in Ranmoor, or the Care UK centre in Barlborough, Chesterfi eld.After surgery, ambulances are being laid on to transfer patients from the Northern General to recover on the orthopaedic ward at the Hallamshire.A report to a meeting of Sheffi eld Teaching Hospital’s board of directors today said schedules have not been ‘signifi cantly aff ected’.Some lower limb joint operations were moved from the Northern General to the Hallamshire two years ago, to cut the rate of cancelled non-urgent ops.Th e increase was noticed in November with infections confi rmed in 22 patients. Most of the people aff ected have had follow-ups and are receiving ‘appropriate treatment’.Medical director Dr David Th rossell said infection rates were usually ‘very low’.“We cannot be certain that any particular infection is connected to the theatres in which the operations were carried out, because the potential to acquire an infection is a recognised complication of joint replacement surgery, regardless of where the operation is performed,” he said.“To put this issue into context, we have carried out about 1,400 hip and knee operations in these theatres since January 2012, and 22 patients have experienced a confi rmed infection during that time.” Source: Th e Star--

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12 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Flights From: Cardiff, Edinburgh and Gatwick

Device To Deliver Safer Local Anaesthetic Receives National Award

A device to improve the safety of patients receiving local anaesthetic, devised by Consultants at Th e Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in King’s Lynn, has received its second prestigious award.

Th e Safe Injection for Regional Anaesthesia (SAFIRA), created by Dr Emad Fawzy, Dr Peter Young, Dr Joe Carter and Dr John Gibson, won the 2014 Innovation Prize for Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain in Th e Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland annual awards held recently as part of WSM, one of the profession’s largest fl agship conferences.

Last Autumn, SAFIRA won the P3 Medical Award for Medical Technology in Health Enterprise East’s Annual Innovation Awards.

As the NHS Innovation Hub for the East Midlands, East of England and North London, HEE helped the inventors and Trust to develop SAFIRA by protecting the intellectual property, assisting with prototype development and providing support in looking for suitable commercial partners.

SAFIRA provides a safe, single user local anaesthetic delivery system which allows the anaesthetist to control the delivery of local anaesthetic with a user-friendly control for use with the needle or ultrasound probe.

Th e system’s injection pressure can be limited to a level at which it has been shown that nerve fascicles are not irreversibly damaged even if the injection occurs into the nerve. SAFIRA also converts a two-operator technique to a single operator with an easier and more convenient method.

Stuart Th omson, Head of Medical Technology at HEE said: “We were delighted to hear that SAFIRA had won its second prestigious award. It is a well-deserved winner. Th e product delivers clear benefi ts to users and patients, reducing the incidence of nerve injury and converting the procedure from requiring two operators to just one, with potential cost-savings. It also provides the anaesthetist with better control leading to a higher success rate, saving time and using less volume of local anaesthetic.”

For further information please visit: www.hee.org.uk.

Dr Emad Fawzy (right) receives the 2014 Innovation Prize for Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain from Dr A William Harrop-Griffi ths, President of Th e Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland.

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Surgeons wait for answers on deaths before heart surgery

Surgeons in Wales say they are still looking for answers over what is being done about heart patients dying while waiting for operations.Th e Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) wrote to Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) in July last year warning patient safety was being put at risk.Th e RCS was told at the time the issues raised were being addressed but it has not had an update since so has written again.HIW says it will respond in due course.Th e University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff and Morriston Hospital in Swansea are the two centres in Wales where heart patients who need specialist treatment and cardiac surgery are referred.But they are struggling to cope with the demands on their services.In August 2013, correspondence between the RCS and HIW revealed that 152 patients had died in the past fi ve years while waiting for heart surgery in Cardiff or Swansea.Just a few weeks earlier, Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd called for an inquiry over deaths at UHW claiming it was the Welsh equivalent of the Staff ord Hospital scandal.And then in September, Powys GP Dr James Wrench, who leads the South Wales Cardiac Network, repeated the claim that patients were dying waiting for heart surgery. He said those who needed operations were supposed to be treated within 26 weeks.Now the RCS is still looking for answers.It said: “Th e RCS wrote to Healthcare Inspectorate Wales to ask for an update on whether our concerns regarding cardiac surgery waiting times in Wales have been addressed.“We are currently waiting for the publication of two associated reports: Th e Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee’s report on the mortality of patients waiting for elective surgery in south Wales, along with a separate report from the Cardiac Surgery Working Group of the Cardiac Services Review for Wales.”An HIW spokesperson said the watchdog had received the letter from the RCS and would be responding in due course.“In the meantime we have met with the RCS, continue to monitor the situation and will be considering the reports once they are available,” said a spokesperson.Unnecessary deathsMs Clwyd told BBC Radio Wales there were hospitals in Wales that should be in “special measures”.“Th ere is great cause for concern because, not only did they say patients were dying on waiting lists, it also said patients waiting for surgery were actually deteriorating,” she said.“I’ve been concerned for some time about mortality rates - six Welsh hospitals come up time after time with high mortality rates.“Th e mortality rates are a smoke signal that something is wrong at that particular hospital and should be looked at in greater detail.”Th e health service is devolved in Wales and run by the Welsh government.A spokesperson for the Welsh government said: “Th e situation on cardiac waiting times is being actively managed by the NHS and Welsh government and steps are being taken to improve services for patients.”Th e concerns over heart patients follows a row in February over whether an inquiry is needed into death rates at Welsh hospitals in general.England’s medical director Sir Bruce Keogh said in an email to his Welsh counterpart Dr Chris Jones that data on death rates in six Welsh hospitals was worrying but not adequate to “form a view”.Th e statistics are part of a drive to make the NHS more transparent in the wake of the Staff ord Hospital scandal.Neglect and abuse at Staff ord Hospital was said to have contributed to hundreds of unnecessary deaths between 2005 and 2008 and prompted a public inquiry.But the Welsh government has already ruled out an inquiry, and that position has been backed by the Royal College of Nurses.

Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 282 March 2014 13

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NHS Scotland Reduces Post-Code Lottery For Hip Replacement Surgery A reduction in the post-code lottery for hip replacement surgery has been achieved in Scotland without recourse to the private sector, according to new research published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Using NHS Scotland data, researchers at the Centre for Primary Care and Public Health at Queen Mary University of London with colleagues from the University of Edinburgh and Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust, show that access to hip replacement increased and geographical inequalities improved across all geographical health boards since 2003 when waiting time initiatives in Scotland were introduced. A key factor was the Scottish government’s decision to buy the privately owned Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank and run it as a major NHS centre for orthopaedics and a national resource dedicated to reducing waiting times in key elective specialties.Th e authors suggest further research is required to assess how these reductions in inequality by geography relate to diff ering levels of need for treatment.One of the researchers, Professor Allyson Pollock, said: “Scotland has managed to improve and increase access to treatment for all patients by expanding capacity within the NHS, unlike England which has placed increasing reliance on poor value contracts with the private sector to deliver elective treatments.” She added: “While England has decided to go down the private route there is growing concern south of the border about rationing and denial of surgery”.Th e researchers point to the diffi culty of doing a similar study for England to examine the eff ect of using the private sector in waiting time initiatives due to the numerous organisational changes that have abolished health authority boundaries and poor quality data returns from the private sector.Th e study was funded by the Chief Scientist Offi ce in Scotland.

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Rigel analyser leads the way in dialysis machine testing in Japan

Th e leading manufacturer of dialysis machines and related devices in Japan has specifi ed the Rigel Medical 288 automated safety analyser to improve biomed electrical safety testing.

Th e move by Nikkiso Co Ltd, which has more than a 50% share of the Japanese dialysis machine market, has led to improvements in testing procedures as part of an in-service annual safety check programme for its machines installed at hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the country.

Th e portability of the 288 is a benefi t to Nikkisos team of over 100 technicians who are able to take advantage of a single solution to quickly and easily complete both earth bond and leakage testing on the dialysis machines. Rigels unique earthbond test circuit ensures accurate measurements at low currents which have resulted in a drastic reduction in size and weight of the Rigel 288.

Th is has led to improvements in the speed and ease of testing and ensures machines are correctly maintained and checked for electrical safety and performance accuracy.

In addition to dialysis machines, Nikkiso leads the way in the manufacture and supply of blood tubing sets, dialysate powder for haemodialysis treatment and blood glucose controller.

Th e Rigel 288 remains the industrys smallest automatic safety analyser, providing fast and accurate testing of patient, enclosure and earth leakage as well earth continuity and insulation resistance.

Its compact design and user friendly interface is particularly benefi cial for the technicians involved in testing, providing improved portability and ease-of-use during completion of electrical safety checks.

Satoru Kawarabayashi, manager of marketing section at Nikkiso, said: Th e 288 is an excellent instrument, providing a fast, cost eff ective reliable testing solution. Th e engineers, in particular, fi nd it easy-to-use and appreciate the fact that it is compact enough to carry around with them.

It incorporates a good range of features for a tester of its size, while the connectivity benefi ts are particularly impressive. Th e user-friendly screen, featuring a simple step-by-step test diagram, is also easy to understand and follow.

Th e Rigel 288 features a compact Bluetooth barcode scanner, enabling devices and equipment to be quickly and easily identifi ed, while test results can be stored internally and printed wirelessly to a small battery operated printer.

Traceability is improved as information can be downloaded into Med-eBase the easy-to-use asset management software. Th is enables the user to store and manage test results, email html test certifi cates to clients and schedule new work orders, which can then be fully uploaded into a large onboard memory.

Th e compact, lightweight design and long life battery power of the tester reduces downtime between tests, making the instrument practical and highly portable for multi-site use. It features easy-to-follow menu driven instructions for ease of operation and test control of all required electrical safety tests in manual, semi automatic or fully automatic test modes.

Users also have the facility to select from a range of preset test programs or develop their own customised routines.

Th e 288 is part of a comprehensive range of high performance biomedical test equipment supplied by Rigel Medical, part of the Seaward Group. Rigel Medical is based at Bracken Hill, South West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2SW. For more information, including pricing contact info@rigelmedical.com or call the Rigel team on +44 191 5878701.

Nikkiso improves biomed electrical safety testing using the Rigel Medical 288

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Safer Moving and Handling in the Perioperative Environment.

National Back Exchange (NBE) are pleased to announce that the 4th book in their Professional Series - Safer Moving and Handling in the Perioperative Environment.

Price: £25

To get your copy and for more information please visit our website: www.nationalbackexchange.org.uk

Find out more 02921 680068 • e-mail admin@lawrand.com Issue 282 March 2014 15

Tel: 01303 840 882 Fax: 01303 840 969 enquiries@sophiebellandassociates.co.uk

www.sophiebellandassociates.co.uk

WEST MIDLANDSTHEATRE CLINICAL LEAD - BAND 8B

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated & focused Clinical Leader. This senior clinical manager role will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high standards of safe care across all

areas of the theatre complex. The successful applicant will need to be a registered nurse or ODP & will manage the nursing & ODP workforce, working closely with the senior staff within the theatres complex,

Matrons & other senior clinical staff across the organisation. Applicants must have signi cant experience of operational & strategic management within a theatre environment in a senior nurse/ODP role. They should demonstrate an in-depth understanding of key issues facing the NHS & speci cally theatre services & the ability to translate themes & guidance to deliver aspirational clinical standards.

Enhanced Recovery: 5 Years onTuesday 3 April 2014, London

Enhanced Recovery has been improving outcomes, patient experience and reducing length of stay for more than 5 years since the introduction of the national programme. With an opening

presentation from Celia Ingham Clark National Director for Reducing Premature Mortality

NHS England, this conference looks at enhanced recovery 5 years on how to sustain and extend improvement and improve the effectiveness of

your enhanced recovery service. The topical issues of enhanced recovery and the 7 day NHS will also

be discussed.

For further information and to book visit http://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/enhanced-recovery-nhs

or email

kerry@hc-uk.org.uk.

Follow the conference on Twitter #EnhancedrecoveryA 20% discount* is available for registrants via the Operating Theatre Journal, just quote ref: hcuk20OPT when booking.

(*cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Full T&Cs available upon request)

www.Opera ngpera ngTheatreheatreJobs.comobs.comA one-stop resource for ALL your theatre related Career opportuni es

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