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Theatre equipment specialist Anetic Aid Limited is nowoffering super-light lead-free radiation protective aprons– and all the accessories to go with them.Manufactured by Burlington Medical, they are environmentally friendly and 40%lighter than conventional lead vinyl models.

Designed for maximum comfort and protection, there are a number of styles andeach item is offered in a wide variety of fabric and colour choices. All are hardwearing, tear resistant and easy to clean.

There’s also an opportunity to personalise aprons with custom embroideryof a name, department or hospital – or any other logo or image.

We're happy to give you a demonstration on site, talk through theoptions and help you decide which designs and sizes wouldsuit you best.

Accessories available include various size half aprons,thyroid shields, lead sleeves, leg wraps andprotective eyewear.

� Choice of styles and sizes� Maximum ease of movement� Stretch back lumbar support on wrap around styles� Wide variety of fabrics and colours� Custom embroidery options� Accessories

Queensway, GuiseleyLeeds LS20 9LBT: 01943 878647F: 01943 870455E: [email protected]

Lead-free, light weightradiation protection

Lead-free, light weightradiation protection

ISSN 1747-728X August/September 2006 Issue No. 191

The

Operating Theatre Journal

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‘OTJ’...for all your ‘OR’ needs...Latest News...Equipment...Suppliers...Recruitment...Letters...&...More...

Designed to protect.

Mölnlycke Health Care Limited, The Arenson Centre, Arenson Way, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 5UL. Fax: 0870 6081888. www.molnlycke.com Mölnlycke Health Care,

the Mölnlycke Health Care logo and Barrier are trademarks registered in the UK, US and/or other countries globally.

When it comes to infection control in the operating theatre, we

don't leave anything to chance. So, why should you?

Using Europe's most tried and trusted surgical drapes and gowns

from Mölnlycke Health Care gives you that total peace of mind.

Developed and produced to the highest quality standards, we offer the

largest range of designs and materials for single use drapes and

gowns, ensuring the utmost in comfort and reliable protection for

patient and staff.

To find out more, visit www.molnlycke.com or call Mölnlycke

Health Care on 0870 6060766.

fi nd out more 02071 002867 • e-mail [email protected] Issue 191 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 3l

SonoSite MicroMaxx™ System wins 2006

Industrial Design Excellence AwardThe SonoSite MicroMaxx ultrasound system has received a 2006 Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) and is one of 106 award winners out of 1,494 applicants. Sponsored by BusinessWeek and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the IDEA awards are judged by a jury of 18 leading individuals in the design world, who focus on design innovation, benefi t to the user, benefi t to the client/business, ecological responsibility, aesthetics and appeal.

The Operating Theatre Journal

is published twelve times per

year. Available in electronic

format from the pages of

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and in hard copy to hospitals

throughout the UK. Personal

copies are available by nominal

subscription.

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like to make

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for further information.

Looking to advertise within

‘The OTJ’ Next Issue Copy Deadline Friday 25th August 2006

All enquiries:

Mr. L.A.EvansEditor/Advertising Manager

Mr. A.S.FletcherGraphics Editor

The OTJPO Box 51Pontyclun CF72 9YY

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Publishers of:

The Operating Theatre Journal

The SonoSite MicroMaxx ultrasound system

This is SonoSite’s third IDEA award: in 2000, the SonoSite 180™, the ultrasound industry’s fi rst hand-carried system weighing under ten pounds, won an IDEA award, as did the iLook® ultrasound system in 2003.

“As the world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, SonoSite has built its corporate reputation on providing point of care solutions for physicians and their patients,” said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. “To achieve this goal, we design hand-carried ultrasound systems that fuse form with function. On behalf of the entire SonoSite team, I want to thank IDSA for recognising the MicroMaxx system as an important example of design and healthcare innovation.”

The MicroMaxx ultrasound system represents a revolutionary crossover between hand-carried and cart-based systems, weighing less than eight pounds but delivering high resolution image quality at a fraction of the cost of larger, heavier cart-based systems.

For more information about SonoSite products, please contact:Alexander House, 40A Wilbury Way, Hitchin SG4 OAP Tel: 01462 444 800 Fax: 01462 444 801 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sonosite.com

When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’

Polyflux-H dialysis deliver the best high-flux outcome to date

Gambro Hospal Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gambro AB, now has an enhanced new design for the Polyfl ux-H range of dialysers, intended for use in high-fl ux and convective dialysis treatments.

The new design brings an advanced fi ber distribution to improve dialysate fl ows and KOA values, while the optimised fi ber inner diameter enables adaptability to all dialysis modalities. The modifi ed header ensures a thorough distribution of blood to all fi bers and removes any potential stagnating areas to reduce clotting potential. There is also a reduced priming solution volume, plus an improved rinseback.

The unique Polyamix™ membrane with 3-layer structure provides excellent in its sieving properties and the smooth microdomain surface discourages cellular interactions for less complement activation. As a result, microinfl ammation is reduced and thrombogeneric potential minimised.

A new datasheet on the Polyfl ux-H dialysers show that there are three variations based on an effective surface area of 1.4/1.7/2.1 m2. Performance in vitro are provided on the datasheet, including the clearances of urea, creatinine, phosphate, vitamin B

12 and Inulin. Ultrafi ltration and sieving

coeffi cients are also provided, along with fi ber dimensions.

For more details of the Gambro Hospal range of dialysers, or for a copy of the Polyfl ux-H datasheet, please telephone the company on 01480 444000.

Gambro Hospal: A better way to better care. Please quote ‘OTJ’

New version Day Surgery System about to be unveiled

Operating theatre equipment specialist Anetic Aid will be launching Version 2 of the QA4 Powered (P) Day Surgery System at this year’s Association for Perioperative Practice Exhibition in Harrogate this

October.

It’s now two years since the system was fi rst launched and since then our designers have continued their development programme - listening to customers’ ideas as they have got to know the system.

Said design head Steve Goldacre: ‘As people have used and become familiar with the QA4 they have come up with a number of suggestions that would improve it even further.

‘We’ve taken these on board and been working to incorporate them in the design - along with some new ideas of our own - helped by new technologies and production developments that have since become available.’

Version 2 offers new features and

enhancements including increased

weight capacity (250 kilos),

improved control functions and

automatic charging. Special

attachments for shoulder arthroscopy

and a head support for

ophthalmics are also in the pipeline.

For more information, contact:Andrew Curtin, Sales Director, Anetic Aid Limited, Queensway, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 9LBTel: 01943 878647Fax: 01943 870455Email: [email protected]


4 THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL www.otjonline.com

Philips SpeechMagic to be implemented in Paris hospital-network AP-HP

Vienna, Austria – Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) announced today that Paris’ hospital network, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), will implement the speech recognition technology, SpeechMagic, in all of its 39 public hospitals. SpeechMagic will be introduced as an integral part of the dictation and reporting workfl ow DictaPlus 5 and is expected to speed up the creation of medical reports which will help reduce waiting times for patients. When the installation period ends in 2010, Paris will have the world’s most advance document creation system in healthcare and also the world’s largest deployment of hospital-wide speech recognition, involving more than 12,000 physicians and 3,000 medical secretaries.

AP-HP aims to achieve a signifi cant drop in report turn-around time, as experienced by the Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, which is also part of AP-HP. The hospital has been using DictaPlus powered by SpeechMagic in its radiology department for 4 years and reduced the turnaround time for medical reports from four days to a few hours.

„SpeechMagic provides industrial-grade features, specifi cally designed to facilitate large-scale implementations in the healthcare sector,“ said Patrick Allongue, sales manager France for Philips Speech Recognition Systems. „The close cooperation with our partner DictaPlus has lead to this signifi cant milestone not only for our company but for the entire speech recognition industry. But those who will benefi t most are the Parisian patients, as treatments will be speeded up signifi cantly.“ Various studies have shown that speech recognition reduces report turn-around time by 50-90%.

„Speech recognition is currently one of the key technologies for preparing the healthcare sector to future documentation challenges such as a shift in demographics and more complex treatment – all of which require more and highly accurate documentation”, says Gérard Canadas, president and CEO of DictaPlus France.

SpeechMagic has received the „Technology Leadership Award“ from Frost and Sullivan following a market study, which also revealed that SpeechMagic is the most-widely used speech recognition technology in European healthcare. The Paris project will further strengthen SpeechMagic’s position as the de-facto standard speech recognition technology for healthcare organizations.

For further information please contact: Anne DURAND-BADEL Regional Marketing ManagerPhilips Speech Recognition Systems GmbH Triesterstraße 64, A - 1101 VIENNATel: +43 1 60101 1048 E-mail: [email protected]

MOLNLYCKE HEALTH

CARE’S HELP IN

CHOOSING A SUITABLE

FACE MASK

In May 2006, a new European Standard for

surgical face masks EN14683 came into force,

which will assist in objectively comparing all the

different surgical face masks on the market and

classifying them into Types by testing.

• Bacterial Filtration Effi ciency (BFE) - how effi cient the fi lter is

• Breathing Resistance (Pa) - how easy the mask is to breath through

• Splash Resistance - whether the mask is classifi ed as splash

resistant

The Types are as follows:

Type I Type IR Type II Type MR

BFE >95% >95% >98% >98%

Pa < 29,4 Pa <49 Pa <29,4 Pa <49Pa

Splash

Resistance

N/A >120mmHg N/A >120mmHg

However, there are so many surgical face masks available on the market

and within each classifi cation, that choosing the right face mask can be

confusing - especially as EN14683 does not suggest which type of face

mask should be worn for a specifi c surgical procedure.

Fortunately, the solution for this is available in the form of four questions

devised by Molnlycke Health Care, which aims to explore type of

surgery taking place, and then advise the health care professional on

the best face mask to be used for a given procedure. The questions are

as follows:

1. Is there a high risk that the patient will develop a postoperative

wound infection?

Yes: Type II

No: Type I

2. Will a postoperative wound infection mean severe consequences for

the patient?

Yes: Type II

No: Type I

3. Is it a long surgical procedure?

Yes: Type II

No: Type I

4. Is there a risk of staff exposure to fl uid splashes?

Yes: Type IR / Type IIR

No: Type I / Type II

When used in conjunction with the EN14683 classifi cation system,

these four Molnlycke Health Care questions can give users a quick and

easy answer to the best face mask for the job.

Detailed guidance on face mask application can also be found in the

“Molnlycke Health Care Face Mask Challenge” at:

www.molnlycke.com/facemaskchallengeWhen responding please quote ‘OTJ’ When responding please quote ‘OTJ’

The Health Professions Council are reviewing their Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and would like to receive feedback for their standards.

The Standards describe what is expected of registrants in terms of their professional behaviour. For example, we say that registrants should act in the best interest of their patients, clients and users and get informed consent to give treatment. You can access a copy of the standards on our website at www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/standards/

Health Professions Council reviews Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.

Rachel Tripp, acting Director of Policy added... “I believe it is really important that we engage with stakeholders and registrants and continue to review the standards as they will undoubtedly need to be updated every few years.

“We published the standards in 2003 after consulting widely with our stakeholders. Now the standards have been in place for over three years we think that it’s important that we review them to make sure that they are working. In particular, we want to make sure

that the standards continue to be relevant to our registrants and conform to public expectations of health professionals.”

To start the review, the HPC is encouraging stakeholders to contribute their comments on what they think about the existing standards. The HPC are keen to hear people’s views on the following questions;

1. Do you think the introduction clearly explains the role and purpose of the standards?

2. Do you think the standards are appropriate and relevant to all registrants? 3. Do you think there are any standards which need more information or which might usefully be reworded? 4. Do you think there are other standards which you think should be added?

The informal consultation will run until Wednesday 6th September and comments should be emailed to [email protected]


TSSU STAFF NEEDEDNationwide

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Ethel Trigg, General Manager and Linda Kenward, Radiographer, at Uckfi eld Community Hospital with Rachael Benson Agfa Account Manager with the Agfa

CR25 machine

Brentford, July 2006: Since its installation in January, the new Agfa CR25 digital X-ray system has helped transform working practices at Uckfi eld Community Hospital, East Sussex. It has enabled radiologists to make faster and more accurate diagnoses than was possible with the wet processor they had previously.

Opened in 1994, Uckfi eld Community Hospital has 25 beds with additional provision for day surgery, a minor injuries unit and an operating theatre. With a GP surgery and a pharmacy on site, the hospital is also the base for community health services. It is part of the Sussex Downs and Weald PCT which covers the area of East Sussex from Forest Row to Wadhurst in the north, and down to the south coast from East Saltdean to Newhaven. The hospital is linked to Eastbourne Hospital where there is a connection to PACS and RIS.

Linda Kenward is a radiographer at the hospital where 3,500 X-rays are taken each year. “Our digital X-ray system is brilliant,” said Linda. “It has transformed my job and enabled us to improve patient care. It has sped up the whole process and there is no longer the risk of X-rays being delayed or lost when being transported between the sites. With the new system, digital images are always available and are much clearer then with our old, wet system which means patients can be diagnosed more effectively.”

“Also, there are now no heavy packets to store and images are instantly available to view on the computer system in the outpatient clinic as well as in theatre,” continued Linda. “Images are archived centrally for easy access and copies can be made for other hospitals if necessary. Because of speedier access to images, radiologists are able to produce reports on critical fi ndings more quickly. There are many bonuses of this system above a processor, including no noise and health and safety issues. Images can be viewed on computer screens through Windows and can be manipulated to produce the best possible images for diagnoses and rarely requires repeats and so overall, patients usually receive a lower X-ray dose. The learning curve involved with the installation of the new CR system was a steep one, but it was one that was well worth the effort.”

“We are thrilled with how the CR25 has helped improve working practices at Uckfi eld Community Hospital,” said Rachael Benson, Agfa Account Manager. “It has been very well received by staff since they have been able to make accurate diagnoses more quickly, helping them to improve the overall patient experience.”

About Agfa

The Agfa-Gevaert Group headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium, ranks among the world’s leading imaging companies. Agfa develops, produces and markets analog and digital systems, primarily for the graphics industry, healthcare, non-destructive testing, micrographics, motion picture fi lm and consumer imaging and photography markets. Agfa is worldwide active in 40 countries, and has 120 agents throughout the world. In 2001, the company achieved a turnover of 4,911 million Euros. Product and company information can be found on Agfa’s home page on the World Wide Web at: www.agfa.com./healthcare

For further information contact: Bill Reid Agfa HealthCare Tel: 020 8231 4900 E-mail: [email protected]

New Agfa DX-S CR System helps transforms working practices at Uckfi eld Community Hospital

When responding please quote ‘OTJ’


The region’s healthcare businesses – which contribute an estimated 10% of the East Midland’s GDP – are set to be given a boost with the appointment of Dr. Darren Clark as the new Chief Executive Offi cer of Medilink East Midlands from 1 August 2006. He is charged with the task of ensuring the healthcare sector is at the top of the region’s economic agenda.

Formerly the organisation’s Business Development Manager, Dr. Clark will oversee signifi cant strategic development during his tenure as Chief Executive. His key responsibilities include growing the membership of Medilink East Midlands and promoting closer collaboration with other business organisations in the region including Business Link, UKTI, BioCity and biokneX.

MEDILINK EAST MIDLANDS APPOINTS NEW CEODr. Darren Clark says: “The healthcare sector is thriving in the East Midlands – there are around 450 healthcare companies employing some 30,000 skilled people, with even more employed in the NHS and in academia. Now is the time to capitalise on our achievements to secure the long term future of the region as a place of innovation in healthcare.”

Dr. Clark will also be overseeing the development of services for members, which include a comprehensive business networking programme, business development consultancy for high growth health care companies and innovative business support services, such as ‘Medilink Scout’. Medilink Scout is designed to be a tool kit for healthcare business, providing

online resources, training courses and workshops, market intelligence and guidance on regulatory, clinical evaluation and NHS procurement.

Dr. Clark continued: “During my time as Business Development Manager, I have built excellent links across the sector and have developed a clear understanding of what members want and need from Medilink East Midlands. I hope to carry forward this vision as we continue to develop the organisation.”

With a PhD in Microbiology from Warwick University, Dr. Clark combines an impressive track record in research with sound commercial experience. Before joining Medilink East Midlands, Dr. Clark gained extensive commercial knowledge from roles with Pharmaceutical Profi les and Shell Research.

Stefan Ogrodzinski, CEO of Biostatus and Chairman of Medilink East Midlands concluded: “Medilink East Midlands will continue to adapt to best meet the needs of our regional healthcare companies. We are committed to ensuring our members voices are heard – locally, nationally and internationally – and to making a signifi cant difference to the region’s economic well-being.”


Tristel Fusion ‘bursts’ into

the marketA recent new addition to Tristel’srowing range of products and servicesor infection control is proving highlyuccessful in markets around the world.

Tristel Fusion is a novel ‘burstable sachet’resentation of the company’s provenhlorine dioxide high level disinfectingnd sporicidal solution for medical

instruments. It is intended for areas where reprocessing of instruments suchas endoscopes and ultrasound probes takes place in open sinks or trays. Fusion delivers a highly convenient means of preparing fresh active solution that is free from such hazardous chemicals as aldehydes and peracetic acid. It enables single use processing of instruments, even when undertaken in sinks and trays.

In Tristel Fusion, the two base components of Tristel’s proprietary chlorine dioxide solution are packaged in a burstable sachet that simply requires manual squeezing to prepare the concentrate. Full activation takes just 30 seconds following which the concentrate is added to 5 litres of water to make the fi nal working solution. This highly effective solution is sporicidal, mycobactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal. It can be used for fl exible endoscopes, heat–sensitive medical devices, laboratory, dental and veterinary instruments.

Tristel has a rapidly growing network of distributors around the world as the company expands into new markets. To date Tristel Fusion has been shipped to countries in Europe and South East Asia and New Zealand, with orders from other areas imminent.

About Tristel Solutions LimitedThe cornerstone of the Tristel product range is a patented chlorine dioxide chemistry used to sterilise medical, dental and veterinary instruments. In 1998, the business that became Tristel acquired all worldwide rights to this chemistry. The principal operating subsidiary of the group was established at this time to exploit the UK market and Tristel has become the leading supplier of liquid chemical sterilising solutions to UK hospitals.

The recently introduced Tristel Wipe is the world’s fi rst rapid action sporicidal wipe. It incorporates Tristel’s patented chlorine dioxide chemistry and can kill all organisms on a pre-cleaned surface, from which soil and organic matter have been removed, with a contact time of only 30 seconds. The Tristel Generator, Tristel Duo and Tristel Fusion are the latest additions to the company’s range of products and services.

Tristel Solutions Limited was admitted to trading on AIM on 1 June 2005. Its stock exchange symbol is TSTL.

Sales enquiries Polly Oates Tristel Solutions Limited Lynx Business ParkFordham Road Snailwell Cambs CB8 7NY Tel: +44 (0) 1638 721500Fax : +44 (0) 1638 721911 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.tristel.com When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’

Asteral announces UK

expansionNew headquarters and personnel appointments signal

period of growth

Asteral, the leading vendor-independent Managed Equipment Services (MES) provider to the NHS, has moved to a new headquarters in Reading, Berkshire. Since its re-branding from AssetCo Healthcare earlier this year, the company has experienced signifi cant growth in its workforce.

The new offi ce in central Reading is in response to Asteral’s growing team of business, operational and clinical equipment specialists involved in the provision of Asteral’s unique MES concept to NHS hospitals.

Asteral’s MES model involves a joined up approach to procurement, management and maintenance of medical equipment coupled with vendor-independence. This ensures clinical choice across all equipment modalities in the marketplace to meet the needs of the modern hospital environment. This not only delivers process and operational effi ciencies but also relieves the fi nancial pressure on hospitals as capital payments are eliminated in favour of a stable long-term budget strategy.

Asteral employs a team of experienced and highly qualifi ed equipment experts including state registered clinical scientists, a radiographer with proven skills in teaching and training, a radiation protection advisor, a pathologist and an equipment buildings / interface manager. Recent new appointments to the team include a Commercial Director, Senior Bid Manager and further Clinical Scientists:

* Tim Beechey-Newman is now the Commercial Director at Asteral following a previous role as consultant to BMI Healthcare. Prior to that Tim worked in structured fi nance, accountancy, fi nancial modelling and bid management.

* Simon Hawkins has been appointed to the role of Senior Bid Manager at Asteral. Simon was previously at the Commercial Directorate within the Department of Health and prior to that a consultant on major IT outsourcing projects for LogicaCMG.

* Sue Simpson and Tony Lui have been appointed to the roles of State Registered Clinical Scientists at Asteral. Their roles will involve managing the delivery of major contracts that Asteral have won, as well as supporting new tenders. Sue previously held a clinical scientist role at Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust and Tony was previously at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust in Tooting, London.

David Rolfe, Managing Director at Asteral states, “This is an exciting stage of growth for Asteral and builds on our proven 10-year track record of managing medical equipment for the NHS. Our team of specialists is committed to replacing ageing equipment in hospitals with innovative solutions designed to deliver an improved standard of care for patients and a better working environment for staff.”www.asteral.com



EIDO Healthcare teams up with expert

surgeonsThe UK’s leading company helping to protect clinical teams against litigation has received support of its library of patient information documents from the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI).

EIDO Healthcare’s library gained the approval of the ASGBI Council after consideration by the Association’s Education and Training Board.

The ASGBI is a national body representing all surgeons involved in the general surgical care of patients.

Over the forthcoming years, EIDO’s development teams will, through this partnership, work closely with an Editorial Board comprising some of the top surgeons in the UK.

Dr Nicholas Gair, Chief Executive of the ASGBI, said: “ASGBI fully supports and commends EIDO’s library of information for patients and will be providing ongoing editorial input to ensure the highest standards of technical integrity are maintained.”

ASGBI has subsequently invited EIDO to be one of the Corporate Patrons of the Association, which is a select group of high-profi le commercial companies.

Dr Gair said: “This relationship with EIDO will help demonstrate the ASGBI’s commitment to providing a public benefi t in all its activities.”

Adrian Lead, director of EIDO Healthcare, said: “From the start, our aim has been to support clinicians by providing tools to improve the informed consent process.

“And now, working with the ASGBI Education and Training Board will ensure the information meets the highest standards and fully refl ects current clinical practice in the UK.”

EIDO’s library includes well over 200 documents, written by leading surgeons and physicians across the country.

Nearly 250 hospitals are already using EIDO Healthcare’s library to communicate with patients and train their clinicians.

For more information please visit: www.eidohealthcare.co.uk

Health Professions Council elect New President

At a meeting held at Park House on the 11th July, it was announced that Registrant speech and language therapist Dr. Anna van der Gaag is to become the new president, replacing Professor Norma Brook who stepped down earlier this month.

Dr. Anna van der Gaag, a chair of the Communications Committee and member of the Education and Training Committee will take up the position immediately.

“As President I will lead the work of the Council through active collaboration and engagement, strengthening cooperation between council members and the Executive. As President I will offer a complementary perspective to that of the Executive.

“I am proud to be part of the regulatory reform process and am committed to seeing the HPC play a full part in future debates. The HPC needs to be a strong voice in the debate, a voice that is rooted in clearly articulated values, and judgements based on careful analysis. I know that I have the necessary commitment and strength of purpose to lead the HPC into the future, making it more effective and more meaningful to the public, patients and professions alike.”

Anna has been engaged in clinical work, university teaching, management and research working in the four UK countries. At a national level she has been involved in Department of Health funded evaluations of professional competence and the role of support workers in the NHS; this has led to further work on professional standards, clinical audit, organisational review, measuring the effectiveness of interventions and patient and public involvement. Anna has also served on profession specifi c and multi-disciplinary committees, including the DH Therapy Professions Research Group, the National Centre for Clinical Audit, Kings Fund Clinical Effectiveness Group and research and education committees of both European and International professions associations.

Dr. Anna van der Gaag will replace Professor Norma Brook who has been President of the HPC for the past fi ve years. She added ...”I’m delighted that Anna has been appointed and I look forward to seeing her lead the organisation as it continues to go from strength to strength.”

Julian Schild elected as new ABHI ChairmanHuntleigh Technology PLC Chairman Julian Schild was elected as the new ABHI Chairman at the annual council meeting recently. Julian replaces Medtronic’s Regional Vice-President for UK and Ireland Geoff Morris, who served three years as Chairman.

On his election Julian stated, “I am eager to continue the work carried out by my predecessor in elevating the visibility of the medical technology sector as a driver of both effi ciency and outcomes in the NHS, and as a key sector for the future of the British economy. Improving the understanding of policy makers and parliamentarians is critical to this endeavour and I will seek to position the Association at the centre of constructive debate.”

Julian joined Huntleigh Technology PLC in 1987, and became Group Finance Director in 1988. In addition to the traditional duties of Group Finance Director, he was closely involved in the development of the European subsidiaries and is a pension trustee. He was appointed Chairman of Huntleigh Technology PLC in 2003 and is also chairman of the Nominations Committee.

The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the lead trade association for the medical devices and systems industry (manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables and other suppliers to the medical community. For further details contact 0207 787 3060 or visit www.abhi.org.uk

Please quote ‘OTJ’

8

Surgical tool trade ethics fears

The purchase of surgical equipment should be bound by the same fair trade rules as foodstuffs like coffee, sugar or bananas, a researcher suggests. Dr Mahmood Bhutta said he had anecdotal evidence there was exploitation of workers in developing countries. In the British Medical Journal, the ear, nose and throat doctor said it was down to purchasers such as the NHS to press for fair trade. The Department of Health said buying equipment was down to NHS trusts.

This trade may be open to the exploitation of power by transnational companies, driving down prices and labour standards. Dr Mahmood Bhutta

But Dr Bhutta said no systematic investigation had been undertaken into the sourcing of healthcare goods from developing countries. Pakistan and Malaysia are centres for surgical instrument manufacturing. Dr Bhutta, whose family comes from the Sialkot area of Pakistan - a centre for instrument making - has interviewed a number of workers and focussed on issues relating to global health and medical ethics. He wrote in the BMJ: “When surgical instruments have come from manufacturers in the developing world then, as is the case with other goods, the trade may be open to the exploitation of power by transnational companies, driving down prices and labour standards.” The global trade in hand-held stainless steel surgical instruments was worth at least £352m a year, he added.

Child labour - In developing countries, much of the early stage of manufacture - forging, fi ling, grinding - is subcontracted out to workers employed in a small workshop or their own home. Manual labourers are paid per instrument, and Dr Bhutta said workers often earn just $2 a day, with no job security, medical insurance or education for their children. He highlighted past research which has shown many subcontracted workers in developing countries are children. Only fi nishing and quality checks are carried out by companies in-house. Dr Bhutta added: “When these goods have come from manufacturers in the developing world then, as is the case with other goods, this trade may be open to the exploitation of power by transnational companies, driving down prices and labour standards. “The scale of such abuse is diffi cult to ascertain, because we usually do not know or do not ask where our healthcare products are manufactured or sourced. “The trade in surgical instruments is open to unethical sourcing because many such instruments are manufactured in the developing world. “This is rarely brought to the attention of end purchasers and consumers.”

‘No assessment’ - He added: “The solution lies in purchasers insisting on fair and ethical trade when sourcing instruments. “Pressure must be applied to suppliers in the developing world to be transparent about where their instruments have been manufactured and for them to ensure that the labourers have been paid a fair wage and that international labour and health and safety standards have been followed.” He said the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency had developed a sustainable development policy, part of which encourages NHS suppliers to ensure compliance with international labour standards. But he said there was no systematic assessment of products’ origins or production conditions. A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “The purchasing of equipment is a matter for individual trusts.”

Story from BBC NEWS:


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Have you seen the POKA-YOKE?How effi cient and up to date are your hospital’s facilities for decontamination of surgical instruments and endoscopes? Who is responsible if there is litigation about MRSA or HAI? Do you complywith HTM2030 and EN ISO 15883? What do you know about Lancer’s latest washer-disinfectors? And have you seen the POKA-YOKE?

Government audits have highlighted defi ciencies in decontamination procedures in many UK hospitals. Lancer can provide the solution and peace ofmind with market-leading equipment which is highly effective and fully compliant with latest regulations.

The stunning new compact POKA-YOKE AER (Automated Endoscope Reprocessor) is ideal for any endoscopy treatment area – large or small. State-of-the-art design, process verifi cation, RFID scope and operator auto-ID and maximum traceability are just routine features to this revolutionary new AER. Its unique lid design opens on one side for loading and the other side for unloading, allowing users to segregate areas and create a fl ow from dirty to clean. Add in totally hands-free operation, fast reprocessing cycles, ultra-safe loading/use of chemicals and amazing effi ciency and it’s probably the AER that you’ve have been looking for.

For larger areas, the established Fibro-Cleaner system is a fully automated endoscope reprocessor providing safe and highly effective decontamination. Complimenting it is the exciting Fibro-Dryer, an aseptic UV storage cabinet with HEPA fi ltered drying that can maintain scopes in a decontaminated state for up to 7 days making them immediately available for lists every morning.

For surgical instruments the Hospitalia range of washer-disinfectors has been the No.1 cabinet w-d over the last few years.

Time to consider how you could benefi t from using the latest equipment from Lancer in terms of quality, effi ciency and results. For more information please contact Lancer on 01223 861665 or E-mail [email protected]

BHTA COMPLETE STAGE ONE OF OFT

CONSUMER CODES APPROVAL SCHEME

The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has successfully completed the fi rst stage of the OFT’s Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. The BHTA’s membership consists of manufacturers and retailers of assistive products and services such as mobility equipment for the elderly, stair lifts, and prosthetic and rehabilitation products. It currently has over 300 members across the UK who have signed up to the code.

By completing Stage One, the BHTA has satisfi ed the OFT that its consumer code of practice promotes and safeguards consumer interests beyond the minimum requirements of consumer law. Key features and benefi ts of BHTA’s code are:

protection of prepayments or deposits paid by consumers in the event that a BHTA member is unable to meet a promise to deliver goods or services;an independent redress scheme (arbitration, free to consumers);independent disciplinary procedures with a range of sanctions, including warnings and ultimately termination of membership, to deal with non-compliant members; and,comprehensive monitoring procedures including inspection visits by independent inspectors, mystery shopping exercises and a consumer satisfaction survey .

The BHTA will now be invited to provide the OFT with evidence that its code is working in practice and delivering on its promises. Only codes that demonstrate that they are effective in promoting consumer interests are approved and entitled to display the OFT Approved Code logo and offi cial promotion.

Colin Brown, OFT Director of Market Transformation said :‘By buying goods or services from a business signed up to the OFT Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, customers can expect a much higher standard of protection than that required by law. The BHTA has undertaken a great deal of work to develop this code of practice, and we look forward to working with them during the next stage towards OFT approval.’

Copies of the code can be obtained by writing to BHTA, New Loom House, Suite 403, 101 Back Church Lane, London E1 1LU or on their website – www.bhta.com. When responding please quote ‘OTJ’ When responding please quote ‘OTJ’


Improving the use of temporary nursing staff in NHS

acute and foundation trusts

HC1176 2005-2006 Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General

The National Audit Offi ce has found that while the NHS has successfully reduced its expenditure on agency nursing staff, temporary staff remain a key component of trusts’ ability to be fl exible and expenditure on temporary nursing staff employed through nursing banks and NHS Professionals has increased. Many NHS trusts do not have robust information to help determine cost-effective staffi ng levels or to understand their real staffi ng needs. The National Audit Offi ce’s report estimates that between £38 million and £85 million a year can be saved by better procurement of temporary nursing staff and better management of permanent nursing staff.

Acute and foundation trusts in England spent £790 million on temporary nursing staff in 2004-05, 9.4 per cent of their total nursing expenditure, down from 10% in 1999-00. Trusts have made good progress at reducing their expenditure on agency nursing staff, the most expensive type of temporary staff. This has fallen from its peak of seven per cent of the total spent on nurses down to three per cent in 2004-05. However, trusts have paid less attention to addressing

the wider issues of controlling and managing demand for all types of temporary nursing staff.

There is wide variation in spending on temporary staff. In 2004-05 expenditure as a percentage of total nursing expenditure ranged from less than fi ve per cent to as much as 29 per cent with trusts in the south of England relying more on temporary nursing staff than trusts in the north.

NHS trusts have to be able to respond to fl uctuations in demand and staff availability through fl exible staffi ng arrangements. The use of temporary staff forms a key part of this fl exibility for many trusts. However, high levels of unmanaged use of temporary nursing staff can be costly, particularly when trusts place high levels of reliance on agency nursing staff. In addition high levels of vacancies and extensive use of temporary staff can worsen patient satisfaction and staff morale.

In response to concerns about the cost and quality of temporary nursing staff and in recognition of the fact that some staff want to be able to work more fl exibly within

the NHS in 2001 the Department of Health launched NHS Professionals, a national temporary staffi ng service. It also encouraged the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency to set up and audit a series of framework agreements to improve the cost and quality of nursing staff procured through nursing agencies. This report fi nds that work by NHS Professionals and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency have improved the cost and quality of temporary nursing staff but more needs to be done to ensure that all temporary staffi ng suppliers are operating to consistent standards.

The National Audit Offi ce recommends that trusts need to concentrate further on managing their demand for temporary nursing staff. Many trusts do not have adequate and timely information on staffi ng needs nor do they have a clear understanding of the factors driving their demand for staff. It is particularly important that trusts develop this understanding as NHS reforms such as Payment by Results and Commissioning a Patient Led NHS take effect across the NHS and activity levels and funding levels in individual trusts are likely to

fl uctuate from year to year. Trusts need to able to operate a mechanism that will allow them to fl ex their staffi ng levels and remain in fi nancial balance whilst ensuring that they can provide a safe and effective service for patients.

Sir John Bourn said recently:”Trusts have been successful at reducing expenditure on agency nursing staff but there is scope to obtain greater value for money by improving the procurement and management of all temporary nursing staff. It is very important that trusts further develop their understanding of their demand for all nursing staff as the ability to be able to manage the workforce effectively will play a major part in determining whether trusts remain in fi nancial balance under Payment by Results.”

“Nursing staff” includes Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Operating Department Practitioners and Assistants, Healthcare Assistants, Nursing Assistants and Nursing Auxiliaries. ‘Temporary nursing staff” includes nursing staff working through trusts’ own internal nursing banks, independent nursing agencies and NHS Professionals (the NHS’ own “in house” temporary staffi ng service).

BENENDEN THEATRES ARRIVE FROM THE SKY Two brand new operating theatres will `fl y’ in to Benenden Hospital on Saturday 29 July. The theatres, system-built to a British design but constructed in Germany, will arrive on seven massive low loaders via Dartford to the hospital at Benenden, near Cranbrook.

Due to the logistical challenges of positioning the units between the current theatre and the outpatient department, they require a 1000 tonne crane to lift them into place.

The project, costing £1.4m, will provide the hospital with two laminar fl ow theatres as well as associated anaesthetic facilities and scrub rooms. Air conditioning and medical gas services will already be installed in the new unit, and will simply ‘plug in’ to the hospital.

The period from the theatres arriving at Benenden to the fi rst surgical operation taking place is expected to be just six weeks.

The theatres will arrive on site on Thursday, 27 July and the crane, one of only two or three in the country, will arrive in two parts on Friday 28 July, where over a period of up to six hours and the help of a second crane it will be assembled. The following day, Saturday 29 July, it will be used to lift the theatre modules one by one during the day, over the Jubilee outpatient clinic, into a situation where they will be bolted into place and made water tight. The heaviest load the crane will have to lift will be the plant room, some 20m long and weighing a massive 37 tonnes. The crane will need its 40m reach to position this module into place.

Benenden Hospital Director Ken Hesketh said: “We and our patients get a double benefi t from this contract with Medi-cell Solutions, the makers of the theatres. We get the theatres up and working much faster than using a conventional build solution which would take up to six months to erect and fi t out - and we save money. “In addition, with laminar fl ow systems to circulate ultra clean air above the operating table, we can carry out more complex operations, particularly in orthopaedics.”Medi-cell Solutions Chief Executive Ashley Field explained: “The units are being assembled in Germany as we have found that their experience in supply and production of this type of modular steel structure far exceeds their development in the UK.

However, we supply our own British workforce to kit out the units to British specifi cations and thus, through a joint venture, we are able to produce the very best quality of both structure and workmanship to meet our client’s needs.”

Benenden Hospital is an independent charitable trust. It provides high quality medical and surgical care for members of The Benenden Healthcare Society, as well as for private and NHS patients.

More information on Benenden Hospital is available at: www.benendenhospital.org.uk

Alison Herbert, a theatre staff nurse at the Capio Winfi eld Hospital in Gloucester recently ran the Paris Marathon in aid of the Friends of African Nursing (FoAN) charity and successfully raised over £1,000.Molnlycke Health Care works closely with FoAN to develop African perioperative nursing practice and education, by enabling

RUNAWAY SUCCESS FOR FRIENDS OF AFRICAN NURSING!British based nurses to share their knowledge, experience and specialist expertise through an award scheme, of which Alison was a winner of in 2004.FoAN is dedicated to providing much needed support in the fi eld of perioperative education to African nurses, developing this area in prioritised African

countries. Its primary purpose is to provide voluntary efforts to assist theatre nursing education and the programme has over the last six years been run in Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi with future plans for Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana and RwandaFoAN runs a three year visit programme in each country,

providing a theory update often the fi rst for many years, a benchmarking of practice, and a leadership programme for existing and potential leaders of perioperative care. To date, over 260 nurses have directly benefi ted from the programme. For further information on the FoAN visit www.foan.org.uk.



Special offers fromBien-Air Bien-Air are making two

very special offers available which consist of: (1) The OSSEODOC control unit, complete with Basch motor and cable, foot control and 2 Handpieces ( 1 each PMAM and PMRM) at £3,085.00* plus the new sterilisation cassette and maintenance pack free of charge.(2) The OSSEOPRO surgical control unit at £3,780.00* plus the new sterilisation cassette and additional Basch motor and cable Free of Charge.

These offers represent excellent value; please contact Bien-Air UK at 63, The Street, Capel, Surrey.RH5 5JZ Tel: 01306-711303 Fax: 01306-711444 E-mail: [email protected]. Website www.bienairsurgery.com When responding please quote ‘OTJ’

WHAT ROLE DO PERIOPERATIVE

PERSONNEL HAVE IN THE

PROCUREMENT, TENDERING &

DECISION-MAKING PROCESS?

Today, a new publication – ‘Your Role in Successful Procurement’ is launched, which aims to encourage best practice in the procurement of products, devices and services used in the operating theatre environment.

This new publication highlights how clinicians and procurement personnel within the NHS can work together to ensure that perioperative staff are working with the right equipment and devices that they need.

This publication has been developed by an independent group of experts who recognise the importance of clinicians in the tendering and procurement decision-making process but recognise the recent shift of power in the procurement process.

Procurement within the NHS is changing rapidly, with a greater emphasis on the standardisation of products and equipment - but at the same time focusing on improving the quality of care given to patients. This can only be achieved by ensuring evidence to support change is research-based, relevant and up to date, quality outcomes are measurable, risk assessments have been carried out and the training needs of clinicians have been identifi ed. Therefore, partnership between procurement, nurses, management, fi nance and other departments is paramount when introducing new practices or changes in products.

This new publication is the fi fth in a series of highly regarded, publications ‘Trust & Protection – Protecting Operating Theatre Staff from the Risk of Infection’ (published September 2005, ‘Under Scrutiny – Are You at Risk’ (published August 2003), ‘Considering the Consequences’ (published February 2003), ‘Surgical Drapes and Gowns In Today’s NHS’ (published May 2001). Together, these publications act as a valuable resource for any health care professional working in the perioperative environment.

The working party included the following experts:

Gill Bowler, Clinical Supplies Manager, NHS Lothian University Hospitals DivisionLinda Falconer, Theatre Manager, Rochdale Infi rmaryLynn Graff-Yeates, Divisional Manager, Cardiac Services, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS TrustGraham Johnson, Independent Occupational Health Consultant, LiverpoolDavid Rose, Head of Support Services, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust Prof Judith Tanner, Clinical Nursing Research, De Montfort University & Leicester Hospitals TrustNeil Wigglesworth, Senior Nurse, Infection Control Team Leader, Leeds General Infi rmaryMartin Williams, Head of Sterile Services, County Durham & Darlington NHS Trust

To receive a copy of ‘Your Role in Successful Procurement’, or one of the other four publications, please contact Jackie Keane at hsdcommunications by email at [email protected].

‘Your Role in Successful Procurement’ is sponsored by an educational grant from Mölnlycke Health Care. When responding to articles please quote ‘OTJ’

Showing in your Theatre now!

THE

OPERATING

THEATRE

JOURNAL


Well, what an eventful conference this was. Even before delegates had registered there was controversy. On checking in to the hotel, one of the committee members received an upgrade for reasons I know not! That upgrade resulted in a suite of rooms, including open plan lounge and dining room, balconied bedroom, separate dressing room a shower and sumptuous bathroom, Champagne in the fridge, and even a patio on which to enjoy it!

Who was it that received such luxury? Was it the hard working Chair, Alun Morgan, for steering HMS PROPRIUS through stormy waters? Not on your Nelly. What about Business Manager, Jean Hinton, taking the strain of profi ts versus defi cits? No! Well it must have been the bookings offi cer Tricia Richiardson. Tricia ensured delegates’ details were recorded properly and conveyed to the hotel and that the appropriate number of rooms were available, sending out information packs, and of course teasing payments from cash strapped trusts with an iron will. With having a hand in room allocation, surely she would keep the best room for herself? Well normally yes - but not on this occasion; and then there’s ‘yours truly’ - well fat chance basically. No, Beryl Murray was the one who spent two nights in Hollywood style luxury! But we’re not bitter - OK, Beryl sits at the far end of the committee table during meetings, and is only given the dregs from the coffee pot, but I’m sure she prefers that! No really we’re not bitter; OK so I grind my teeth in my sleep in competition with my nine year old son - but that’s healthy isn’t it? It certainly helps improve the lifestyle of my psychiatrist, who’s more a personal friend really!

So what of conference? Well it was informative, and as always it provided a lot of networking opportunities and discussion on topical issues and entertaining to boot. There was a superb range of leisure facilities on offer [did anyone try the dry ski slope?] What more could anyone ask? – consequently, the conference received very positive feed back from delegates.

As always, one of the key points of conference is the opportunity provided for all to share and discuss some of the important initiatives affecting us now, and in the future. These included:

• Partnership Quality Assurance Framework & Ongoing Quality Monitoring & Enhancement.

• The Specialist Library for Surgery, Theatres & Anaesthesia.

• The AODP Curriculum Review

• Agenda for Change and Rates for Seconded Students

• Widening access profi le recommending SHAs pay 80% and Trusts 20%

• Roles in Theatre including Assistant Practitioner

• Theory in Practice

• Loophole in ‘grandparenting’ arrangements with HPC.

Of course, I can only provide a brief sample in such a short space:

An update on the National Day Surgery Programme and the governments’ target of 75% of all elective procedures being done as day cases. A ‘Basket’ of 25 procedures were identifi ed to be done as daycase surgery with a ‘Trolley’ of 17 procedures listed as possibly suitable for inclusion as day case surgery; this included wide local excision of breast and auxiliary clearance. I wonder how many trusts are achieving these targets?

The Annual Health Check - replacing the current star rating system. Brian Johnston explained that there are seven dimensions to the Core standards, including Safety, Clinical and Cost effectiveness, Patient Focus and Accessible and Responsive Care to name but four. It is rumoured that staff development also features here! Results from the fi rst round of assessments will be published in September this year.

The Specialist Library for Surgery, Theatre and Anaesthetics is part of the National electronic Library for Health (NeLH) set up to support evidence based decision making by clinicians, managers and indeed patients. Now being subsumed into the National Library for Health which was launched in November 2004, it aims to bring together trusted, authoritative information resources in one place, providing seamless

access to the best available evidence wherever and whenever it is needed. The Specialist Library will map the patient’s journey through perioperative care and covers evidence on surgical procedures, but not diagnostics and disease pathology. The Library will support healthcare professionals in their continued professional development. Although to be formally launched in November 2006, a ‘soft launch’ will take place in June with a link from the NHL website www.library.nhs.uk.

PROPRIUS Conference 2006 Report April 2006 - GloucesterThe Partnership Quality Assurance Framework (PQAF) recognises parity between practice-based education and academic education and, following the major reviews which complete in 2006, Ongoing Quality Monitoring & Enhancement (OQME) will be based on self evaluation against set HEI, practice specifi c and shared standards. The partnership is changing however because of what the NMC and HPC require and Interim Standards are being used until the full framework is developed. A web-based tool is being developed for reporting with Education leads in each Trust reporting on areas not being met. The web based tool will be piloted by the South West Peninsula SHA. The Interim Standards will be rolled out in October 2006 followed by consultation with full adoption of the model and standards in the 2007/2008 academic year.

Role of Clinical Trials Co-ordinator – Sarah Owen gave an insight into the diverse role of the Clinical Trials Co-ordinator at James Cooke University Hospital. The role is principally about managing a site’s research in harmony with the principal investigator. This includes representation at ethics committees, trawling websites for sponsors, ensuring sample size protocols are met, ensuring equipment is available and serviced (Data void if not) and recruiting patients. Sarah also takes consent on behalf of the Physician, educates patients and team on the project, collects data and acts as the patients advocate.

Anaesthesia Practitioners – Dave Wilkinson, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, gave an update on the programme which started in January 2004. Originally a Masters degree, the award was changed to Post Graduate Diploma to incorporate practice plus 3 months supervised practice. The programme was open to Nurses and ODPs with 3 years relevant experience and evidence of academic study or graduates with a biomedical or biological science. Dave gave a breakdown of the programme and the patient categories in which ‘trainees’ are involved for which they have 1-1 supervision, with supervisors present during induction and emergence. Although not an independent practitioner, Dave also undertakes spinals, epidurals and regional blocks. He highlighted that APs can reduce turnaround time, thus enabling 1 extra hip replacement procedure each day. There is potential, once qualifi ed, to have 2 practitioners to 1 Consultant, allowing teaching to take place and allowing compliance by medical staff of working time directives.

Foundation training for Skills Escalation – Ken Knight gave details of the 2 year programme run at the Royal Sunderland Hospital which was introduced to enable them to adequately staff new theatres. The programme, approved by City & Guilds consists of 400 classroom sessions and 800 hours directed/self study and utilises the old ODP NVQ standards. Teaching in writing skills and research methodologies was also

provided. Candidates also undertake cannulation training and cell saver training. Although normally unable to register as ODPs, Assistant Theatre Practitioners can access year 2 of the Dip HE ODP programme or enter Nursing programmes. One group of 9 students had, however, been able to access the HPC register as ODPs through the ‘Grandparenting’ arrangements. Another 15 are due to complete shortly. HPC Grandparenting arrangements close in October 2006.

Domestic Abuse and Violence – support in the Perioperative environment – One in four women and one in six men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime with women at greater risk of repeat victimisation and serious injury. Further, one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute and on average, two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner. These are just a few disturbing facts that Cheryl Conroy highlighted. She showed how theatre practitioners may become involved and how help and support should be given. Cheryl also reminded delegates that men can be victims and cited the case of an abused man who was ignored by police and who stepped over him to see if his wife was alright!

Role and Powers Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) Forums – Donald Espie, Chair, Gloucester Hospitals PPI gave an informative and thought provoking account of the PPI Forums, set up to develop confi dence in the health service and to meet rising patient expectations. The PPI Forums are independent statutory bodies who, as part of their role, monitor services, advise and comment on proposed changes to services and make recommendations based on reviews. PPIs have powers to enter health premises that provide NHS services, inspect those premises, request information and receive a response within 20 days and make recommendations.

fi nd out more 02071 002867 • e-mail [email protected] Issue 191 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 13

l

Inspections can be unannounced if adverse public comment has been made. If a Forum raises issues with a trust, e.g. on patient environments, infection control, waiting times (to name just a few), and those issues are not dealt with, the Forum can report this directly to the Secretary of State.

Education Support for Advancing Surgical Roles – future fact or fi ction? Adrian Jones, Norfolk & Norwich University hospital looked at the varied roles and defi nitions related to advanced roles and indeed the rumours and misconceptions along the way. The Assistant Surgical Practitioner and the Surgical Care Practitioner roles were examined and the training compared.

So there you have it. If this has ‘wet your whistle’ and you would like to be part of this select group of people involved in education and/or assessment for Peri-operative care, whether clinically or academically based - whether Nurse, ODP, Support worker, or Student, look out for future PROPRIUS events.

Finally, for you ODPs out there, don’t forget that the Health Professions Council requirements for CPD are now in force and evidence of CPD activities will be examined prior to re-registration in 2008. NOTE, PROPRIUS offers corporate membership to educational establishments and NHS Trusts, thus providing membership status to everyone involved in peri-operative education & training associated with the

member Centre, including students. Check to see if your University or Trust is a member today! I look forward to meeting you at future events.

Nigel KeitleySecretary/Deputy Chair

PROPRIUS would like to thank every speaker for their contribution to this year’s Conference, and to Intersurgical, Intavent-Orthofi x and Professional Medical Recruitment for their continuing support:

PROPRIUS Conference Report

(continued)

PROPRIUS Perioperative Educators’ Forum

Gateway House, Manchester, November

15th 2006The programme at this year’s Forum will be slightly different

from that of recent years. A number of member centres have

indicated that they would welcome the opportunity to meet

as a group to discuss various issues related to perioperative

education. The PROPRIUS committee has decided, therefore,

to use the day originally planned for its annual Education

Forum for such a group meeting. The programme will be

largely organised as an open forum within which those issues

that have been raised by interested parties will be considered

and discussed. However, time will also be set aside for Centres

to report on specifi c developments in their area.

The Forum is open to all those involved in perioperative

education, members and non-members, whether clinically or

academically based - whether Nurse, ODP, Support worker,

or Student. The higher the number of delegates attending,

the more productive the forum; therefore, please contact

Nigel Keitley, PROPRIUS Secretary, or any other committee

member with your discussion topics as soon as possible,

and book your place at the Forum by contacting Tricia

Richardson either by phone or e-mail at:

01642 384959 or [email protected]

The Full Cost includes all sessions of the Education Forum,

lunch and refreshments

Cost: Members - £30.00; Non-members £70.00

www.proprius.org.uk

e-mail: [email protected]

PROPRIUS – Forum for Perioperative Education

– Promoting Excellence through Education


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Many workplace and household chemicals are absorbed directly into the skin, causing dry, itchy, and cracked skin. Conventional lotions just replace natural oils with artifi cial ones, offering only temporary relief that does not heal the skin.

Thousands of international nurses will be prevented from getting jobs in the UK to give homegrown students better employment opportunities, the Government announced recently. Under the plans, overseas nurses will be barred from applying for junior posts unless a UK nurse or a nurse from the EEA (European Economic Area) cannot fi ll the job. The move applies to nurses in bands 5 and 6 - those with between a few months experience and around one a half years. The bands are being taken off the Home Offi ce shortage occupation list and it means employers will have to advertise vacancies to homegrown students before looking abroad. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said the move “beggars belief” with overseas nurses being made a scapegoat for the fi nancial crisis in the NHS. But Health Minister Lord Warner insisted that large-scale recruitment of international nurses was only ever intended “to be a short-term measure”. Extra investment in training meant there was no longer a need to hire junior nurses from abroad, he said. The change does not affect nurses already working in the UK and there would still be specialist nursing vacancies, he added. He said: “The aim of the NHS has always been to look towards home-grown staff in the fi rst instance and have a diverse workforce that refl ects local communities. “The NHS has seen historical levels of investment and a period of expansions in the nursing workforce since 1997 in order to help reduce waiting times, improve access to services and ensure high quality treatment and care. “On top of this we have made a huge investment in education and training and in the development of robust recruitment and retention policies. This is now bearing fruit.”

Steve Barnett, director of NHS Employers, also said today that the organisation was trying to get a clearer picture of how UK graduating nurses will fare in getting jobs this year. In London, Manchester, Leeds and Essex, employers expect to be able to hire all their newly qualifi ed staff but there were “real issues” in the East and West Midlands, he said. Mr Barnett said it was not yet clear how many nurses in the East and West Midlands were experiencing diffi culty in getting jobs. RCN General Secretary Dr Beverly Malone said of today’s announcement: “International nurses have always been there for the UK in times of need and it beggars belief that they are now being made scapegoats for the current defi cits crisis. “Removing nursing from the list of recognised shortage professions is short-termism in the worst possible sense. “We know that the vast majority of international nurses are employed in bands 5 and 6, the very bands which are going to be affected. “If this proposal goes ahead I guarantee that the effects will be far-reaching and immediate. “Over 150,000 nurses are due to retire in the next fi ve to 10 years and we will not replace them all with home-grown nurses alone. “We also have to remember that this blanket ban on international nurses will also apply to the independent sector who are heavily reliant on international nurses to carry on providing care and are not in the position of fi nancial crisis the NHS fi nds itself in. “If there is solid evidence to show that we no longer need international nurses in the UK’s healthcare system both now and in the future, then we urge the Government to provide it - something they have yet to do.“Until that time, the RCN will remain convinced that this is a bad decision for patients, for nurses and for the UK healthcare system as a whole.”

Source: Daily Mail

NHS barred from hiring foreign nurses


NEW ALGORITHM LAUNCHED TO HELP YOU CHOOSE

THE RIGHT GLOVE FOR THE RIGHT PROCEDURE

Today, a new algorithm ‘Navigating the Glove Maze’ has been launched,to assist health care professionals to select the right glove for the right procedure.

Compiled by an independent working party across a wide range of disciplines, it aims to encourage best practice in the selection of gloves.

Gloves are worn to protect both staff and patients from the risk of contamination and cross-infection by blood-borne viruses such as HIV but with such a wide variety of gloves now available to all health care professionals; it may not be easy to select the appropriate glove for the procedure in-hand.

The working party included the following experts:Gill Bowler, Clinical Supplies Manager, NHS Lothian University Hospitals DivisionLinda Falconer, Theatre Manager, Rochdale Infi rmaryLynn Graff-Yeates, Divisional Manager, Cardiac Services, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS TrustGraham Johnson, Independent Occupational Health Consultant, LiverpoolDavid Rose, Head of Support Services, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust Prof Judith Tanner, Clinical Nursing Research, De Montfort University & Leicester Hospitals TrustNeil Wigglesworth, Senior Nurse, Infection Control Team Leader, Leeds General Infi rmaryMartin Williams, Head of Sterile Services, County Durham & Darlington NHS Trust

To receive a copy of the new algorithm, please contact Jackie Keane at hsdcommunications by email at [email protected].

The “Navigating the Glove Maze” algorithm is sponsored by an educational grant from Mölnlycke Health Care.

SIGH ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF OSBORN & SIMMONS

Surgical Instruments Group Holdings Ltd (SIGH), a leading manufacturer and distributor of world class medical instruments, today announced the acquisition of Osborn & Simmons, a manufacturer of micro ophthalmic surgical instruments. The acquisition of assets will further expand SIGH’s industry leading portfolio of instruments and immediately make SIGH one of the UK’s leading specialist providers of micro ophthalmic instruments.

Osborn & Simmons is a highly respected supplier of high quality ophthalmic surgical instruments with a deep product range including ophthalmic forceps, scissors, needle holders, choppers, manipulators, pushers, and spatulas. The acquisition is a strong strategic fi t and the combination of SIGH’s resources and Osborn & Simmons products will provide customers with an outstanding level of customer service.

David Peddy, Managing Director of SIGH, said, “SIGH’s acquisition of Osborn & Simmons is all about continued market penetration, complementary products and growth. Osborn & Simmons provides us with a highly strategic and complementary portfolio of instruments – further extending SIGH’s reach and leadership in the manufacturing and supply of world class surgical instruments. We are confi dent that this acquisition will be the stepping stone to the next stage in the growth of the company.”

SIGH will transfer assets to its Croydon headquarters and supplies will be available immediately.

Catalogues and prices will be available and the range will be featured on SIGH’s web site at www.sighltd.co.uk

The Public Accounts Committee said nearly a quarter of incidents and 39% of “near misses” go unreported, with doctors being the worst culprits. And the cross-party group said more should be done to cut the number of errors, especially those which cause serious harm or death. Nearly 1m lapses in patient safety were recorded in 2004-5. The government said lessons were being learned. The committee, which based most of its fi ndings on a report by the National Audit Offi ce last year, also attacked the National Patient Safety Agency for failing to provide enough advice on improving safety. The NHS agency was set up fi ve years ago to develop a national reporting scheme to help the NHS learn lessons from lapses in safety. One in 10 patients are estimated to be unintentionally harmed under the care of the health service. These can include medication errors, equipment defects and patient accidents, such as falls. But the committee said the system was too complex and the agency was not offering value for money. The MPs also said there had been a lack of progress by NHS trusts in the last six years since a report by the chief medical offi cer attacked the “blame culture” that existed in the NHS for hampering the improvement process. The study said few NHS trusts “have formally evaluated their safety culture” and “insuffi cient progress” had been made on achieving targets set out by the

Department of Health. And it added only 24% of trusts routinely inform patients involved in a reported incident and 6% do not involve patients at all. Many trusts are also not complying with safety alerts issued by the NPSA.

‘Failures’ Committee chairman Edward Leigh, a Tory MP, said: “What this points to are two related and deep-seated failures. “One is the failure of the NHS to secure accurate information on serious incidents and deaths. “The other is the failure on a staggering scale to learn from previous experience.” Peter Walsh, chief executive of the charity Action Against Medical Accidents, said: “We hope the report will give an injection of urgency into work to improve patient safety.” But Chief Medical Offi cer Sir Liam Donaldson defended the NHS, saying improvements were being made. He added: “Over the last fi ve or six years we have put in place a comprehensive patient safety framework in this country which is admired internationally.” NPSA joint chief executive Susan Williams said: “The NPSA has already acted on a number of issues identifi ed in the report and will work with the Department of Health to consider the report’s recommendations carefully. “The agency remains committed to helping improve patient safety in the NHS and working with the local NHS to deliver this.”

Source: BBC

NHS staff ‘not reporting errors’ Too many NHS staff still do not report lapses in patient safety, MPs say.

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AUSTRALIAN organ donors may in future have their bodies prepared for transplantation while they are still alive.The Australian Health Ethics Committee’s working party is seeking to extend the transplant preparations to patients who are certain to die after experiencing “cardiac death” - when their heart stops beating and their circulation stops. In the past, transplant preparations have been carried out on brain-dead patients.The procedure involves taking the patient to an operating theatre for the surgical insertion of tubes into their major arteries to prepare for cleansing of the organs after death, blood tests and drug administration. This helps preserve their organs. Peter Joseph, chair of the ethics committee’s working party on organ donation, said extending the preparation procedures to living patients was necessary to preserve solid organs such as hearts, livers, lungs and kidneys, which deteriorate quickly after circulation stops. “There is only one state of death, but there are two ways in which a doctor can certify death as having occurred: brain death and cessation of circulation,” he said. Brain death is when doctors conclude through tests that a patient has lost all brain function completely and permanently.Organs can then be preserved via a ventilator for the purposes of donation. “In people who are brain dead these preparations are legitimate and present no ethical barrier,” Dr Joseph said.

Living patients face organ harvesting

“Brain death is easy. If the brain is dead the person is dead, but the organs are being maintained for the purposes of transplantation.“If somebody has died by cessation of circulation - in other words, if the heart has stopped beating - within a few minutes the organs deteriorate by themselves.”The proposed changes are outlined in the National Health and Medical Research Council’s draft consultation paper, which states: “Sometimes the severity of a person’s injuries means that they are unable to survive even if there is still some brain function.“To improve the chances of organs being suitable for transplantation, some treatments are needed before the person dies (e.g. blood tests, surgical insertion of a tube into the main artery of each leg).”When asked whether it would be possible that somebody could be aware of the fact they were being prepared for organ harvesting, Dr Joseph said: “Yes, it would.” But he said it would not be done without the permission of the donor or the donor’s family. “We do not believe that this is covered by the general permission to donate,” he said. “If ante-mortem [before death] intervention does occur, it requires specifi c consent.”The committee wants legislation made uniform so the practice is legal in all states and territories.“There are interstate differences to some of these procedures that may well be . . . actually illegal,” Dr Joseph said.

Source: The Sun-Herald Leo Shanahan

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