NEWS DIGEST


and post-operative care in the UK was in a poor state across the board: “There appears to be a serious lack of awareness of the degree of mortality risk to patients, and we have to ask if the Health Service really does appreciate the level of risk that surgical patients face? If we don’t identify the risks to patients, then how can we provide the best pre and postoperative care?” Among recommendations made in the


Targeting high-risk surgical patients


NEARLY 80 per cent of UK patients dying of post-operative complications come from a small group of high-risk patients – only half of whom receive “good” peri-operative care. These findings come from the latest National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) report – Knowing the Risk. NCEPOD researchers found that 21 per


cent of patients undergoing elective surgery had not been seen in an assessment clinic before their operation and in only 8 per cent of patients defined as ‘high risk’ was risk of death stated on the patient’s consent form. Only 22 per cent of the high- risk group were cared for in a critical care unit with the remaining 78 per cent of patients returning to the ward. The report also found that 16 per cent


of hospitals did not provide pre-admission anaesthetic clinics, 27 per cent did not have a critical care outreach team and 34 per cent did not have a policy to prevent peri-operative hypothermia. Co-report author Dr George Findlay, NCEPOD Clinical Co-ordinator and Intensive Care Consultant, said that pre


IN BRIEF


l NICE ON ANAPHYLAXIS A new guideline on initial assessment and referral following emergency treatment for a suspected anaphylactic episode has been published by NICE. Estimates suggest that approximately 1 in 1,300 of the population of England


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report is the introduction of a UK-wide system for the rapid identification of patients who are at high risk of post-operative mortality and morbidity. All elective high-risk patients should be seen in a pre-assessment clinic and patients should be told of the mortality risks associated with surgery and this should be recorded on the consent form. Trusts should analyse the volume of work considered to be high risk and quantify the associated critical care requirements and make provision for appropriate post- operative care.


Dentists warned over discount deals


DENTISTS who offer discounted treatment deals must not forget their responsibilities to patients, the General Dental Council has said. The GDC issued the reminder in the wake


of the increasing number of cut-price offers made available via email and online by companies such as Groupon and Living Social. The regulator highlighted its guidance


that warns dental professionals not to make claims that could mislead patients and requires practitioners to be trustworthy and honest, ensuring financial interests are not prioritised ahead of patients’ interests. Dental professionals who breach guidance


could face action to restrict or stop them practising, the GDC added. The regulator said: “If a GDC registered dental professional offers a treatment deal he or she must assess the patient, obtain valid consent, obtain a medical history and explain all the options before carrying out any work. Registrants must put patients’


has experienced anaphylaxis at some point. Recommendations include querying the circumstances to identify possible triggers and offering an appropriate adrenaline injector as an interim measure before referral. Access the guideline at http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG134


interests before their own or those of any colleague, organisation or business.” The GDC is currently drawing up draft guidance on ethical advertising as part of its review of Standards for dental professionals. Go to www.gdc-uk.org for details.


GMC cuts fees for doctors


THE GMC is to cut annual fees for all doctors for the first time since 1970. From April 2012, practising doctors will


pay £390 a year instead of £420 – a saving of £2.50 per month. Registered doctors who don’t have a licence to practise will pay £140 instead of £145 – a saving of 42p per month. Provisionally registered doctors will make a similar saving, paying £95 instead of £100. The move follows a decision last year by the GMC to freeze its annual fees. The regulator will also increase the earnings threshold entitling doctors to a 50 per cent fees discount from April. Any doctor whose total gross annual worldwide income from all sources is less than £30,000 will qualify, compared to the current threshold of £26,000.


The GMC said the reductions were possible thanks to £8million of efficiency savings made in 2011. These include an expansion of the in-house legal team, a cut in the number of panel members from five to three and greater use of e-communication rather than paper. The GMC is encouraging doctors to pay their annual retention fee via GMC Online. Find out more at www.gmc-org.uk


l NEW GMC TRIBUNAL SERVICE The GMC’s new Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) will begin service in the summer of 2012 under the chairmanship of His Honour Judge David Pearl. The MPTS will manage all fitness to practise hearings for doctors and it is a key element of the


GMC's plans to reform its adjudication work, introducing a “full separation”


from its investigatory role. l WEEKEND HOSPITAL MORTALITY RATES A new report has found a “worrying” spike in death rates among patients admitted to hospitals in England at the weekend.


SUMMONS


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