U.K. nurses may perform simple surgery.LONDON -- The United Kingdom Department of Health is considering proposals to have "surgical care practitioners"--specially trained nurses and other health workers--carry out simple surgical procedures Surgical procedures have long and possibly daunting names. The meaning of many surgical procedure names can often be understood if the name is broken into parts. For example in splenectomy, "ectomy" is a suffix meaning the removal of a part of the body. "Splene-" means spleen. . The Department of Health has launched consultations with other health care providers. The move is part governments plans for investment and reform in the health service which Prime Minister Tony Blair Noun 1. Tony Blair - British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, Blair said would allow nurses to fulfill their potential and realize "this enormous untapped wealth of experience". The Department of Health views it as a way to have quicker access to surgery by expanding numbers in the workforce trained to perform minor operations such as removing skin lesions Skin Lesions Definition A skin lesion is a superficial growth or patch of the skin that does not resemble the area surrounding it. Description Skin lesions can be grouped into two categories: primary and secondary. . The SCPS SCPS School of Continuing and Professional Studies SCPS Space Communications Protocol Standards SCPS Survivable Collective Protection System SCPS Society of Civil & Public Servants SCPS Self-Complimentary Planar Structure would be under the supervision of the consultant surgeon who would retain overall responsibility for the patient's care. Around 400 SCPS are already working in the UK, which could increase from 2,000 to 3,000 in the next few years. The Royal College of Surgeons of England The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales. , welcomed SCPS as "members of the extended surgical team". However, there are issues about supervision. "The position of the college is that SCPS must be under direct supervision. They are directly accountable to the supervising consultant." Doug McWhinnie, a consultant surgeon at Milton Keynes general hospital Milton Keynes General Hospital is a district general hospital serving Milton Keynes and the surrounding area of northern Buckinghamshire, England. It is located in the neighbourhood of Eaglestone, and opened in 1984. It is managed by Milton Keynes General NHS Trust. , said that SCPS had been working there for two years. The health minister, Lord Warner, said: "By developing the roles of healthcare staff we are able to offer patients skilled practitioners who are able to carry out simple surgical procedures, freeing up doctors to deal with more difficult cases." The consultation will clarify levels of supervision and reaffirm the importance of working within the surgical team. |
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