Highlights
SCTS Annual Meeting 2009
Online Abstract Submission is now open.
Please click on the following link to take you through the process.
Deadline is strictly midnight 5th November
HEALTHCARE COMMISSION SCTS PUBLIC PORTAL UPDATED
Please click on the link below to take you to the Healthcare Commission press release regarding the updated public portal:
Click here to go to Public Portal
Applications invited for an OPERATING THEATRE TEAM TUTOR
The Raven Department of Education wishes to appoint a surgeon on a sessional basis to assist the Director of Education in the development of the operating theatre team education programme. This will include utilising the new Eagle 2 clinical skills area which will be open by the end of 2008. One of the innovative areas in Eagle 2 is the Mock Operating Theatre and the provision of such a facility will enable cutting edge programmes to be developed to support safe theatre practice, team working and dealing with emergencies.
For a full job description, person specification and details on how to apply please follow this link: http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/education/pdprojects.html
Society for Cardiothoraic Surery (SCTS) Statement: Response to NCEPOD Report on Bypass Graft Operations
Please click on the link here to read the Society's response to the report.
Joint Response to NCEPOD Report on Bypass Graft from SCTS and the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists (ACTA)
The Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS) and the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists (ACTA) are united in their desire to provide the highest standards of care for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The overall mortality for elective coronary artery bypass grafts in the UK has halved over the past 4 years and is now less than 1%. This has occurred at a time when waiting times for cardiac surgery have been dramatically reduced. Recognising that organisational factors were important in the provision of care, SCTS had asked NCEPOD to undertake this study, the results of which are published today.
SCTS and ACTA are wholly committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the report, to ensure continuing improvement in the quality of care and outcome for patients undergoing cardiac surgery..
Leslie Hamilton Jean-Pierre van Besouw
President SCTS Chairman ACTA
The Impact of the European Work Time Directive On the Delivery of Cardiothoracic Services
Please click here to download the letter sent to the Chief Executives of all cardiothoracic units about the above.
NCEPOD Report
NCEPOD are due to launch the NCEPOD report into Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting at a meeting on the 4th June 2008. Please find a link below to the NCEPOD website where it is possible to download the flyer/booking form for this meeting.
Good Surgical Practice
Please click on the link here to take you to a pdf version of Good Surgical Practice 2008.
Discussion Fora
We are in the process of setting up various discussion fora covering the different interest groups within cardiothoracic surgery. Whilst we wait for some access issues to be resolved, please log on here to link to a thoracic surgery discussion forum already established.
SCTS Data Document
The SCTS Data Document and Calculators are now available to download from the Members Only Section. Please contact Isabelle Ferner at sctsadmin@scts.org shoudl you require your CTSNet id.
NEW WAYS OF WORKING
Please click here to open the relevant document regarding staffing the cardiothoracic unit. Please send any comments regarding this document to Isabelle Ferner at sctsadmin@scts.org
Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons
Please click on the link here to find details of the various events taking place at the museum in the Summer 2008. Tickets for these events are free for yourselves and a guest (usually £5).
ISCP News
Be prepared for the new surgical curriculum covering your specialty from 1st August 2007
Log on to www.iscp.ac.uk for full information
See Nick Ross launch the ISCP, access your Getting Started Hospital Doctor booklet, a Step-by-Step Guide and all the guidance you need, whether a trainee, consultant trainer, assigned educational supervisor or programme director.
www.iscp.ac.uk provides comprehensive information on the syllabus, competences, standards and assessment whenever trainees take up their posts. The ISCP covers all nine surgical specialties.
Any questions? Contact the Helpdesk team - helpdesk@iscp.ac.uk or telephone 020 7869 6299.
From August 2007, it will be mandatory for all new surgical trainees and their trainers to use the new surgical curricula. When trainees and assigned educational supervisors register with the ISCP, they will be able to utilise the interactive website to upload learning agreements, record assessments and progression, update logbooks and build e-portfolios.
To become familiar with the system, trainees and education supervisors may pre-register before August 2007 by logging onto www.iscp.ac.uk. For help with registering, email helpdesk@iscp.ac.uk or telephone the ISCP Help Desk on 020 7869 6299.
The ISCP has been developed by all Surgical Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland and all nine Surgical Specialty Associations under the umbrella of the Joint Committee of Surgical Training (JCST).
MEDICO-LEGAL EXPERT WITNESSES
Please click on the link below for a list of individuals willing to undertake medico-legal work. Please note that the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland does not endorse any of the information which has been provided voluntarily by the individuals themselves.
Expert Witnesses download
Please download a covering letter and form to complete should you be interested in putting yourself forward for medico-legal work
Covering letter
Medico-legal proforma
Letters from the various defense organisations and the GMC regarding their selection of expert witnesses can be found by clicking on the links below:
GMC
MDDUS
MDU
MPS
WHY SHOULD I BECOME A MEMBER OF SCTS?
Please view the benefits of membership.
SOCIETY OBJECTIVES 2006-2008
Following a recent Executive we have drawn up a list of objectives to work through for the next 2 years. They can be downloaded here .
PUBLIC PORTAL
The data quality visits that are mentioned in the public portal can be downloaded here:
Barts and the London NHS Trust
Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
James Cook University Hospital
Leeds General Infirmary
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
North General Hospital, Sheffield
See Improving Quality for suggested Best Practice in Data Validation