Surgery 

Expansion and innovation

Our surgeons continue their pioneering work offering a full range of surgical procedures for heart and lung disease.

2008/09 highlights:

Healthcare Commission accolade

• In late June, the Healthcare Commission published updated survival rates for patients undergoing heart surgery. The data now covers more than 35,000 operations performed between April 2006 and March 2007 at the 37 heart units across the UK. The data shows that our overall heart surgery survival rates are better than would be expected by European standards. Only five centres achieved this accolade.

Harefield heart valve repair conference

• More than 100 leading heart surgeons from across the globe gathered at Harefield in October to hear about the latest developments in heart valve repair. The expert delegates participated in a three-day advanced ‘Master of Valve Repair Programme’ which, over the years, has provided training in mitral valve repair for more than 1,000 surgeons. Those attending the course were able to see live cases broadcast from the operating theatres to a large screen in the conference hall.

Phase one of the recovery and theatre suite opens

• In May the first phase of the expanded recovery and theatre suite opened at Royal Brompton. The new theatre reception, offices and coffee room were opened, alongside the six bedded recovery unit, with the remaining four beds opening a few weeks later. In September, the new operating theatre was opened. The theatre, which is much larger than the existing ones, allows for more urgent and emergency work.

Harefield’s theatres open day well attended

• Well over a hundred people visited Harefield’s theatres in May. The theatres open day gave patients, staff and visitors the chance to see areas normally closed off to the public. Presentations from staff included an explanation of how an interactive art display helps patients relax before surgery; a description of how patients are intubated for surgery; and a close-up look at the heart itself. Visitors also enjoyed playing surgeon with mocked up keyhole surgery sessions.

Accolades for staff:

• Mr Eric Lim, consultant thoracic surgeon, was highly commended in the 2008 NHS London Innovator Awards for ‘Medicine and Surgery – An Integrated Textbook’, which he edited. The awards are designed to recognize individuals striving to provide a better service for patients.

• Dr David Hunter was appointed director of theatres in October. Following his appointment a number of processes to improve patient safety were introduced including formal daily team briefs to allow all members of the theatre team to discuss the plan for the day to ensure that any issues are identified in advance. New procedures have been introduced to reduce the number of cancelled operations – now running at below 0.8 per cent. These developments are part of the programme to support the World Health Organisation’s global patient safety challenge ‘safe surgery saves lives’.