Publications & Surveys

Publications

Download position statements below

• The Past, Present and Future of Surgery and Training
   
• Elective Surgery and the NHS A Surgical Forum Discussion Paper
   
• Working together to improve the local delivery of the General Surgery of Childhood Statement of Intent, April 2018
   
• Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations Position Statement on the Legal Aspects of  “Medical Manslaughter”
   

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, representing around 10,000 Fellows and Members in England, and the Federation of Specialty Surgical Associations deplore the situation that has arisen over the terms and conditions for doctors in training in England. We call on all parties involved in the discussion about terms and conditions to meet as a matter of urgency to resolve the current impasse. The patients of the United Kingdom are best served by ensuring that all healthcare staff are able to work in conditions that are conducive to providing the best care. Failure to resolve this situation will have implications for recruitment and retention to the NHS.   We fully support our colleagues in training at this very difficult time”.

• The Surgical Forum of Great Britain and Ireland supports call for inquiry into the Ian Paterson case
   
• Surgical Audit:  who owns the data?
   
• Appointment to Heads of School, Health Education England FSSA Position Statement, August 2016
   
• Choosing Wisely in Surgery
   
• Position Statement on the management of emergency surgery at the general, paediatric and urological surgery interface
   
• Emergency Aid Team Register
  • FSSA position paper on surgeon outcome data
     
  • ACCEA Clinical Excellence Awards
     
  • Annual Allowance FAQ
     
  • FSSA Position Paper 7 Day Working
     
  • The Surgical Forum of Great Britain and Ireland: Managing the surgeon in difficulty
    • FSSA Statement on ‘Shape of Training Review:  Training Cuts Could Harm Doctors’ February 2015
       
    • Shape of Training Review FSSA Response – February 2015
       
  • The Surgical Forum of Great Britain and Ireland: The future of District General Hospitals
     

FSSA Position Statement on ‘Individual Surgeons’ Outcomes Publication’ October 2014

• Outcome Publication Position Statement
   

In response to the publication on 19 November 2014 of the Consultant Outcomes Data, John MacFie President of the Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations (FSSA), warns:

“The publication today of individual surgeons’ performance data is crude and can be misleading, and does not include essential information such as duration of hospital stay and returns to theatre. There is now good anecdotal evidence that shows publishing this data has encouraged risk averse behaviour, which is not in the interest of patients. I believe that the data should only be published after any concerns in a surgeon’s performance have been investigated.”

He also raises concerns about using low volumes of data, difficulties with case mix, risk adjustment and the accuracy of data collection.

“In reality very few deaths can be attributed to surgical error alone, and this data only attracts attention away from institutional failings. Put simply, hospitals should not be allowing surgeons to practise unless they can demonstrate their practice is safe.”

Further Information / Comments Sian Evans on 020 8674 8921 / 07752 414433

• The Surgical Forum of Great Britain and Ireland ‘The future of the District General Hospital’
  • The future of the District General Hospital
     

The FSSA supports the Surgical Forum’s publication of ‘The Future of the District General Hospital’. The Surgical Forum publications referenced within the Report are available below:

• Shape of Training: a response on behalf of the Surgical Forum. March 2014
   
• Surgical Forum of GB and Ireland. April 2011. Providing specialist care in the modern NHS; a ‘consultant’ led and ‘specialist delivered service. Sub Consultant versus Specialist
   
• Surgical Forum of GB and Ireland Feb 2013 Challenges for the future of surgical training
   
• The Shape of Training ‘securing the future of patient care’ A response on behalf of the Surgical Forum of Great Britain and Ireland
   
• The Shape of Training “securing the future of patient care”
   

The FSSA supports the Surgical Forum’s document on ‘The Shape of Training: securing the future of patient care’

Surveys

• Surgical Expert Survey Results 2017
   
• Paper on British Surgical Association