Department of Health: Patients to get faster access to surgery
24 March 2005
The Department of Health has launched the "Consultation for surgical care practitioners' national curriculum framework".
Highly skilled healthcare professionals could be helping patients to access surgery quicker thanks to government proposals. A consultation document published on 24th March gives healthcare professionals a clear educational and training programme to become a surgical care practitioner (SCP), a role that allows them to perform simple surgical procedures as well as caring for patients before and after surgery.
More skilled healthcare professionals means that patients will benefit from shorter waiting times and improved access as SCPs take pressure off doctors. In particular, they can assist consultant surgeons in theatre in such a way that ensures that doctors in training can focus on the areas where they most need to gain expertise.
The consultation document aims to discuss the most suitable way to establish a common assessment of the skills of SCPs whilst encouraging other health professionals to develop their skills.
For further information contact Department of Health
Source: Department of Health Published: Thursday 24 March 2005 Reference number: 2005/0138
