10.04.17
Pilots revealed for new surgical training programme
The 19 pilot sites for the new Improving Surgical Training (IST) project have been named in anticipation of trials starting in the UK by August 2018.
The sites have been picked from eight Schools of Surgery and Training Boards across the country by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) and Health Education England (HEE), who are running the pilots, and will trial changes to how surgeons are trained.
IST will seek to create a better balance between service and training for trainees, as well as professionalise the role of trainers and develop members into an extended, collaborative surgical team who will work alongside trainees to improve patient outcomes.
The pilots will also attempt to develop the concept of the ‘Modern Firm,’ where multidisciplinary teams provide junior doctors with support in a positive, collaborative environment.
Professor Wendy Reid, director of education and quality and medical director at HEE, said that the pilots incorporate a range of exciting developments for training in general surgery.
“In particular, they provide an excellent opportunity for us to test how different, more multi-disciplinary models of team working can improve the quality of training received by our doctors in training, and the care they then provide to patients. HEE is delighted that this is a UK supported project,” she said.
“I would like to congratulate the trusts selected and look forward to seeing their outcomes as they develop.”
Ian Eardley, RCS vice-president and chair of the IST working group, added that trainee surveys had found surgical trainees were consistently the least satisfied with their training, and that the new pilot is a step forward in improving the quality of training.
“We believe trainees, trainers and the wider surgical team will benefit from this new approach to general surgical training, which will result in them delivering better care for patients,” he explained.
“IST represents a significant opportunity to trail enhancements to the experience of surgical trainees and we’re excited to be working with these trusts to deliver these benefits. Ultimately, we hope this will serve as a model for training in other surgical specialties.”
The 19 test sites are:
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Queens Medical Centre)
- Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Derby Hospital)
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (Queen Elizabeth Hospital)
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Victoria Infirmary)
- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (Morriston Hospital)
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (Royal Gwent Hospital)
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (University Hospital of Wales)
- Cwm Taf University Health Board (Royal Glamorgan Hospital)
- Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Northern General Hospital)
- The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Relevant Health Boards in Scotland (TBC)
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