ANAESTHETIC ASSISTANCE
A STRATEGY FOR TRAINING, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION AND THE PROMULGATION OF SAFE PRACTICE
Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee
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CONTENTS
SUMMARY OF MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS
I: INTRODUCTION
-Introduction
-Definition of Anaesthetic Assistance
-Who Provides Anaesthetic Assistance?
-Where do They Work?
-What do They Do?
-What are the Problems in Providing this Service?
-Methodology
-Key Aims of Report
II: STRATEGIES FOR TRAINING, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
-Introduction
-Training
-Recruitment and Retention
III: AREAS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO ACHIEVE SAFE PRACTICE
-Introduction
-Obstetric Anaesthesia
-ECT
-Paediatric Anaesthesia
-Anaesthesia in Dentistry
IV: CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
Appendix I: Membership of the Working Group
Appendix II: List of Contributors
Appendix III: Survey Questionnaire
Appendix IV: Number of Hospitals Participating in the Questionnaire
Appendix V: ODP Registration
Appendix VI: Evolution and Costs of Setting Up ODP Training in a District General Hospital Setting: A Worked Example
Appendix VII: Useful Addresses
Appendix VIII: Abbreviations
Terms of Reference
To describe the current provision of anaesthetic assistance, to identify those areas where provision is deemed to be unsatisfactory and to offer solutions with specific regard to recruitment, training and retention and the promulgation of safe practice.
Context of Report
A variety of individuals make up what is referred to as "the perioperative team". In addition to medical staff, these include registered nurses, operating department practitioners, support workers and a wide range of technical staff. All the roles undertaken by these staff are designed to complement each other in order to deliver safe and effective patient care.
This report is solely concerned with the provision of skilled anaesthetic assistance offered by nurses and operating department practitioners but its recommendations have important implications for the perioperative team.
Although the Group has no locus within its remit to cover remuneration and terms and conditions of service, it recognises that other aspects covered in this report -such as training, staff development and career progression - should serve to enhance recruitment and retention in the long-term.
Note
Following publication of Scotland's White Paper on Health, Partnership For Care, the operational management role currently undertaken by NHS Trusts will transfer to Operating Divisions as part of the unified NHS system. References to Trusts should therefore be interpreted in the light of guidance set out in NHS HDL(2003)11, issued on 7 March 2003 entitled A framework for reform: devolved decision-making: MOVING TOWARDS SINGLE-SYSTEM WORKING.