Surgery
yet to make plans to initiate sites dedicated to hand surgery, on top of those already in existence. Hand surgery is not one of the five treatments made available outside of the hospital to be provided via secondary care in the community. It therefore falls under the remit of surgical hubs. Directed enhanced services have been nationally agreed and offered to all GP practices in England, leaving them to decide if they wish to sign up or not. This Minor Surgery Scheme allows GP practices from 1 April 2025 to offer additional minor treatments once signed up, potentially offering scope for hand surgery to be undertaken in a medical centre (office) setting. In lieu of a national scheme dedicated to hand
surgery to deliver fast, efficient and effective treatment, private healthcare providers have already stepped in, with healthcare provider groups and private entities offering hand surgery as a dedicated service or alongside existing treatments, often referred to from the NHS. One emerging solution that was initially
developed in the UK – is one-stop treatment. This is where the patient is diagnosed and undergoes surgery on the same day via the WALANT technique. As detailed in 2012, a retrospective review of this practice demonstrated a 50-75% national tariff cost-saving to the NHS - £750,00 for the 1,000 cases presented.5 Although there is no government or NHS
dedicated strategy in relation to offering hand surgery services outside of traditional means, the
future for it seems to be organically developing and that direction of travel currently appears to be away from main hospitals, day (ambulatory) surgery centres and potentially surgical hubs too, moving closer to the patient and their community.
Summary The environments in which hand surgery is being undertaken and the techniques in conducting hand surgery have evolved greatly since the 1940s and continues to do so, which will inevitably lead to a greater number of locations dedicated to or undertaking hand surgery. CSJ
References 1. BSSH Hand Surgery in the UK – Report of a Working Party (2018), accessed at: https://
www.bssh.ac.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/ professionals/Handbook/Hand%20Surgery%20 in%20the%20UK_2021Edit.pdf
2. NHS England – Monthly Operational Statistics 3. British Association of Day Surgery – Wide Awake Local Anaesthetic, No Tourniquet. Technique, Uses and Guidance.
4. S. Fullilove, President, British Society for Surgery of the Hand (2021) and Consultant Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, GIRFT / BSSH – Hand Surgery: Guidelines for operating outside of main theatres.
5. Bismil M, Bismil Q, Harding D, Harris P, Lamyman E, Sansby L. Transition to total one-stop
wide-awake hand surgery service-audit: a retrospective review. JRSM Short Rep. 2012 Apr;3(4):23. doi: 10.1258/shorts.2012.012019. Epub 2012 Apr 16. PMID: 22715424; PMCID: PMC3375846.
About the author
Anetic Aid’s Product Manager, Mark Lee, joined the company in 1992. His current position, which he has held for six years, involves working closely with Anetic Aid’s design and development team, together with suppliers and healthcare professionals, to fulfil the company’s aim of delivering the best possible outcomes from the devices it provides to both the UK and international markets.
The role of the day surgery team: a virtual conference
A Joint British Association of Day Surgery (BADS) & HCUK Virtual Conference on ‘The role of the day surgery team’ is taking place on 3rd November 2025. The presence of dedicated, knowledgeable, multi-skilled day surgery practitioners (the day surgery team) is essential in ensuring safe and efficient day surgery service delivery with the best patient experience. This one-day virtual conference aims to provide support for day surgery teams in achieving these goals. Good clinical practice, accompanied by explanation of underlying principles, at each stage of the day surgery pathway will be reviewed, along with discussion of when it is acceptable to question traditional practice, how the day surgery team can contribute to successful development of new day surgery pathways and inform development and innovation of multi-skilling within the day surgery process. As part of the government 10 year plan there is a major focus on reducing the amount of time patients are waiting for their operations. We know that the key to achieving this is by
46
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I October 2025
increasing day surgery delivery. The day surgery team is essential to the success of this so join us to learn how to be even better in achieving your goals. This conference will enable you to:
l Network with colleagues across the day surgery team
l Reflect on the different roles of the day surgery team and your own practice
l Learn from and discuss practice in different day surgery units
l Identify strategies to enhance and support interprofessional working
l Ensure you are up to date with the latest national practice
l Supports CPD professional development and acts as revalidation evidence. This course provides 5Hrs training for CPD subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes
Speakers include: Ms Karen Harries, Lead Nurse, Pre-operative Assessment, President, BADS, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust; Ms
Alex Alen, Senior Sister, Day Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; and Dr Rachel Tibble, Consultant Anaesthetist Lead for Day Surgery and Day Surgery pre-operative Assessment, Anaesthetics, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. Topics include: Back to basics in the patient pathway; patient preparation for theatre; changing traditional common practices in day surgery; what you need to know about day surgery anaesthesia; multi skilling and competencies. BADS is a multi-disciplinary organisation
constituted of surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied healthcare professionals, including operating department practitioners, anaesthetic practitioners, perioperative assistants, physiotherapists and hospital managers. It is committed to promoting excellence in day surgery via its educational activities. To book your place, visit: https://www.
healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences- masterclasses/role-of-day-surgery-team
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
