The need for minor surgery is a significant cause for referral to hospital. This is often associated with delay to treatment and the provision of service is often by practitioners in training grades with variable degrees of quality.
Evidence shows that patients are more likely to be satisfied with minor surgical treatment in primary care compared to hospital-based treatment; the waiting time is less and costs (such as travel and parking) to access services are reduced.1
General Surgery Direct offers a minor surgery service for cutaneous and soft tissue lesions with a short waiting time and hours that suit your own practice and the patients you serve. Costs are significantly below usual NHS tariff.
We provide easy access to our consultant delivered service via a dedicated fax line; all referrals are confidential & electronically archived. We will also provide all the sterile services, including disposable equipment, surgical lights and instrumentation. Clinical waste will be taken away and safely disposed of.
Enhanced patient information is provided as well as histopathology and postoperative advice. Governance arrangements include personal clinical accountability for your patients, professional indemnity and follow-up care provided to the highest level.
Audit arrangements will include feedback on outcomes to individual GP’s or to the Practice. Patient satisfaction surveys will also be undertaken.
1. O’Cathain A et al. Cost effectiveness of minor surgery in general practice: a prospective comparison with hospital practice. Br J Gen Prac 1992; 42(354):13-7.
Surgical training, mentoring and validation
Many general practitioners provide an effective minor surgical service for their community. Still more would like to provide such a service, but lack the skill, confidence or infrastructure.
General Surgery Direct can provide a validation service which will include quality assuring your minor surgery facilities and providing specialist guidance on enhancing your service in line with current best clinical practice. We can provide minor surgical training, individually or in groups and will provide mentoring to ensure a positive experience for your patients.
Consultation and advice with clinical care pathways
The pace of change in the NHS is fast and unrelenting and keeping up to date with best practice is a challenge for us all. General Surgery Direct’s mix of cutting edge clinicians and managers can provide your practice with valuable guidance through the maze of modern health service practice and policies.
Surgical care pathways can be refined according to your specific needs from referral to long-term surveillance and advice will be offered on an individual patient basis as required. This includes both adult and paediatric services.
General Surgery Direct offers a specialist surgical resource in your primary care practice to act as a filter between you and the hospital-based services you need to access.
