YDH Leads Country's Training For Bowel Cancer Surgeons, UK

Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 01 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PST

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YDH (Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) has been named as one of a handful of centres in England who will lead the way in providing training for the country's keyhole (laparoscopic) surgeons for patients with bowel cancer. The South West Laparoscopic Colorectal Consortium (SWLCC) will be managed at YDH and includes surgeons from across the region.

This is an initiative led and funded by the Department of Health, who have decided to develop the consortiums because until now there was no structured, uniform training strategy for this complex, and relatively new procedure. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a minimally-invasive method used to resect the bowel in cancer patients. The aim of the consortiums is to ensure the highest possible quality of patient care across the country.

YDH was interviewed at the Department of Health HQ in London on Tuesday 8 January, following a tender from the Trust to lead the South West Consortium. Colorectal consultant at YDH, Nader Francis, represented the hospital, along with Andrea Shayler (Management Accountant at YDH). Nader is delighted with the outcome: "Being chosen to lead the SWLCC means recognition for our hospital as a centre of excellence for keyhole colorectal surgery and the enhanced recovery methods which we use for patients undergoing this procedure."

The SWLCC will aim to delivery high-quality training to consultant surgeons throughout the region and beyond. The logistical set-up will enable a multi-faceted approach to support formal training, self-directed learning, performance assessment and clinical mentoring in a way that is easily accessible to learners.

The SWLCC will be managed at YDH, with Dr Fiona Carter (Course Development Manager at YDH) as the project manager of the Consortium. It will involve preparation and production of learning material from YDH, setting up a laboratory at the hospital for practical skills and collaborating with a laparoscopic skills lab at Plymouth and a high-tech anatomy lab at Bristol. The leading surgeons of the Consortium are Mark Coleman (Consortium Lead, Plymouth), Nader Francis (YDH), Tony Dixon ((North Bristol NHS Trust) and Rob Longman (United Bristol Healthcare Trust).

Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive at YDH, says: "This puts YDH firmly on the map as a recognised training centre, delivering and leading learning at the highest level."

Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust