New Deal for Surgery

The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on surgical services across the UK.  Latest waiting time figures report the largest ever NHS waiting list, with over 5 million people in England awaiting hospital treatment.  With Wales and Northern Ireland reporting record waiting lists too, the Royal College of Surgeons of England is calling for a New Deal for Surgery, urging governments in Westminster, Cardiff and Belfast to invest in restoring timely surgical treatment. 

The pandemic was not the first time that elective surgery had to be suspended. In the winter of 2018, a spike in flu cases forced the decision temporarily to halt all elective surgery in England. The NHS had not caught up when COVID-19 hit our shores.  

With the restoration of elective surgery now well underway, it is still hard to see how the NHS can address what is now a mammoth backlog, without both substantial additional investment and changing ways of working.  

Our New Deal report makes the case for increased funding, and urges the NHS to embrace change, improve collaboration and make wider use of different service models, including surgical hubs. 

Tune in to hear our panel discuss these recommendations, and new ways of working that have emerged over the last year.  Find out how you can get involved in our New Deal for Surgery campaign.

Panel

• Professor Neil Mortensen - RCS England President and Professor of Colorectal Surgery.
• Miss Stella Vig - RCS England Council Member and Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon.
• Miss Lola Giwa - ASiT President and Plastic Surgery Trainee.
• Mr Sas Banerjee - RCS England Regional Director North East London and Colorectal Surgeon.
• Tamora Langley - RCS England Head of Policy, Media and Public Affairs.