Dear all,

Download full PDF Document here

Here is a document co-written with BOA and BASS. This comes on the back of NHSE concerns about well publicised issues within Paediatric Orthopaedic and Spinal surgery.

At the outset there were a number of ongoing reviews.

There was a call from the Minister for Health for a National review. Head of NHSE Commissioning James Palmer agreed to work with the specialist societies to agree some governance changes to increase the support of small units, and individuals within units.

The initial thrust was to have enhanced MDT working with regional support for highly complex surgery, regular post surgery review of outcomes, and a structured mentoring and support system.

Along with BASS and BOA, including the BLRS, and BSCOS, we have agreed some levels of increased support and scrutiny within Paediatric Spinal Surgery. 

We have trialled a regional MDT, and it can work well. For this to work Nationally we will require robust technical and resource support, which is currently with the NHSE for funding allocation.

We have identified exemplar cases for review and the outlines of these are within the document.

We must engage with this, but it is fully recognised that current job plans and systems cannot support the implementation of these changes.

Lee Breakwell - BSS President
president@britscoliosis.org.uk