Torbay Hospital consultant to jointly lead important national review

Published: 17 August 2017

Dr Mike Swart, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed to jointly lead a national review of anaesthetic and perioperative medicine.

Dr Swart who will be working in partnership with his joint Royal College of Anaesthetists national clinical lead for perioperative medicine, Dr Chris Snowden, Consultant Anaesthetist from Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals; will be analysing national data to highlight and develop best practice processes.

The review will study data around patient care throughout the surgical process; from preparing for the procedure, during the operation, as well as recovering from actual surgery. Individual trust data will then compared with others throughout England, highlighting any potential issues, as well as areas where procedures have delivered better results for patients and their recovery. Each trust will then receive a comprehensive review of their individual data, receiving support and advice on where improvements to perioperative care and services can be made, as well as potential financial savings.

Dr Mike Swart said: “Leading this review is a real opportunity to develop and share best practice with other health professionals in perioperative medicine throughout England. This will allow us to make significant improvements to the standards of care patients receive throughout the operative process, both locally and nationally.”

The review is one of 30 announced to improve efficiency and reduce unwarranted variation within the NHS and is part of the ‘Getting It Right First Time’ (GIRFT) programme, supported by NHS Improvement.

Professor Tim Briggs, who chairs GIRFT, said “The £60m programme had attracted a high calibre group of extremely experienced and enthusiastic clinical leads. The fact that each work stream is led by an expert in the specialty is a vital part of the GIRFT methodology, because it means trust clinicians know they are dealing with people who really understand the challenges they face.”

Dr Rob Dyer, Medical Director at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust stated: “We are proud that Dr Mike Swart will be jointly leading the new national review of anaesthetic and perioperative medicine. The review, and Mike’s involvement in it, will allow the Trust to be at the forefront of the development of processes that lead to the best possible safety and efficiency of surgical procedures.”