Patients Over Profit: Not the Cost of Living but the Cost of Dying

24 September 2024

UK’s Only Trade Union for Surgeons Advocates for Realistic and Sustainable Healthcare Reform

The UK’s sole trade union for surgeons, anaesthetists and the entire surgical team is calling for more support to facilitate the critical reforms outlined by Lord Darzi, warning that unions focusing solely on financial outcomes risk pushing the NHS further into a downward spiral.

In response to the mounting and numerous crises in the NHS, Lord Darzi called for a ten-year plan, which includes modernising the workforce and embracing new technology. Unions, such as the British Medical Association (BMA), which opposed modernisation plans have been criticised as a ‘major drag on reform of healthcare’ by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. And, in a week in in which the BMA, which famously tried to obstruct the foundation of the NHS in 1948, was revealed to have blocked a lifesaving and groundbreaking cholesterol jab - a once-a-year injection that could dramatically improve the health of millions, trade unions are under increasing scrutiny for prioritising their own interests over patient care.

However, the UK’s only trade union for the whole surgical team, the Confederation of British Surgery (CBS www.cbsgb.co.uk), argues that while unions have a role in protecting their members, if this involves obstructing innovative treatments and reform, there is potentially a risk to public health. Furthermore, CBS states that it supports the reforms proposed by Lord Darzi, although issues a stark warning that in order to implement them, surgical teams must be given the necessary resources and support.

Consultant plastic surgeon Mark Henley, President of the Confederation of British Surgery, says:

“CBS stands in support of efforts to modernise the NHS, but these changes need to be realistic and implemented from the ground up. We have seen a real-terms decrease in hospital bed availability since the NHS’s inception, when population increase is accounted for. It cannot be expected that the NHS workforce continues to work under such pressures whilst also being responsible for implementing the changes outlined in the Darzi report. As a union run by members of the surgical team, we support all changes that are necessary to improve patient care and ensure the wellbeing of our members.”

The Darzi Report, which was commissioned by the government, highlights major themes for the forthcoming 10-year health plan. These include:

Re-engaging staff and re-empowering patients.
Locking in the shift of care closer to home.
Simplifying and innovating care delivery.
Driving productivity in hospitals.
Using technology to unlock productivity.

One particular quote from the report by Lord Darzi is worth highlighting, say surgeons:

“It needs to be stressed that falling productivity doesn’t reduce the workload for staff. Rather, it crushes their enjoyment of work. Instead of putting their time and talents into achieving better outcomes, clinicians’ efforts are wasted on solving process problems, such as ringing around wards desperately trying to find available beds.”

Consultant Gastrointestinal and General Surgeon and CBS Board member Peter Sedman concurs with the statement;

“We acknowledge and support the findings of the report – quite frankly, there were no real surprises, considering an ageing population and crumbling infrastructure, coupled with less efficiency and more regulation. But falling productivity doesn’t mean we are working less hard; I love my job but can spend sometimes 80% of my day just trying to deal with computers that won’t work properly.

“We certainly back the calls for dietary changes in the population and looking at the health of the nation as a whole. It’s less the cost of living, but the cost of dying that needs to be considered! At CBS we are open to participating in lending a hand on the appropriate reforms to allow surgeons and all healthcare professionals to being allowed to work on what they truly love, which is treating patients.”

CBS recognises the urgent need for dramatic change within the NHS, but points out that the key areas of reform have been proposed before, yet have failed to improve outcomes, either for patients or for the NHS workforce. For example, investment in a digital NHS works only if other areas are also improved, such as lack of beds. Prioritising areas of reform is key, as is being realistic about which changes can be made without a comprehensive overhaul of the system.

Mr. Henley continues:

“It is crucial that members of the surgical team are at the heart of these reforms as they are often the backbone of life-saving care, and their needs must be prioritised for any transformation to succeed. While innovation is vital, we cannot lose sight of the immediate demands in operating theatres, where under-resourcing and long waiting lists already put patient outcomes at risk. We have seen in the past that piecemeal reforms simply cannot be successful without addressing foundational issues, such as staffing, resources and infrastructure.

“At CBS, we are ready to seek constructive collaboration with healthcare leaders to ensure that these reforms deliver real and sustainable benefits to both patients and professionals. We believe that by investing in our surgical teams and supporting them as valued contributors to the NHS on a human level, we can drive the NHS of the future.”

Read other news articles