GIRFT report on vascular surgery published
01 Mar 2018
Today (1 March 2018) the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) report on vascular surgery is published.
Miss Susan Hill, a Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said:
“Vascular surgery involves complicated and high risk procedures performed by both surgeons and interventional radiologists. Patients with arterial disease can be at risk from sudden death due to ruptured aortic aneurysm, death or disablement due to major stroke and limb loss secondary to occlusive arterial disease (caused by blocked arteries in the legs), or complications of diabetes.
“The GIRFT Vascular report shows that many patients with potentially fatal conditions can wait far too long before they see a consultant vascular surgeon. It also demonstrates great variation in provision of care across the country which does not need to be the case. GIRFT recommendations include the reconfiguration of vascular services into networks with high volume regional central units, a model the Vascular Society has recommended for many years. This would improve access to specialists, improve outcomes, and reduce costs.
“The Royal College of Surgeons unequivocally supports GIRFT and urges the NHS to act upon Professor Horrock’s recommendations.”
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.
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