The ‘London Cardiovascular Project’ 2010-11 was set up to assist commissioners to commission and monitor a cardiac service in London. This project is likely to affect the commissioning process for all cardiac surgical centres in England.

Previously, in 2008-9, eight NHS Trusts supported by their local cardiac networks were involved as demonstration sites in the ‘Cardiac Surgery National Priority Project’. Lessons drawn from these sites are outlined in the publication 'A Guide to Commissioning Cardiac Surgical Services' . That document did not mention any specific operations for special commissioning.

The ‘London Cardiovascular Project’ document mentions the following procedures:

-aortic dissections
-elective thoracic aortic surgery
-mitral valve surgery
-TAVI

Recently, the Society established the ‘SCTS COMMISSIONING GUIDANCE WORKING PARTY’ to deal with the commissioning process.

I was delegated with the task to compose a list of specific operations for special commissioning. I felt that the best way to achieve this is by a nation-wide survey. I would be grateful if you provide me with some feedback on three issues:

1. What do you feel about the commissioning process
2. Which procedures, in your opinion, should be specially commissioned and why. For example, surgery for cardiac arrhythmias, tricuspid valve surgery, pulmonary embolectomy, etc
3. Which procedures, in your opinion, should not be specially commissioned and why.

Please, click here to respond to this survey.

The results of the survey will be published in section of the website.