The Operating Theatre Journal

Thursday, 31 October 2013

CQC Monthly Update - October 2013

The monthly update for everyone interested in health and social care

 

This month's headlines:

Inspecting more NHS Trusts

Our plans for social care services

Professor Sir Mike Richards answers tweets

It's all about the feeling...

Get email alerts when we inspect

Reporting under our new model

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Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Changes to Healthcare Services in North West London

Following advice from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP), Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt today announced that changes to healthcare services in North West London should proceed to ensure safe and sustainable healthcare for local patients.

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Recall of Migraine Injection Needles

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today issued a drug alert to pharmacies, dispensing clinics and wholesalers asking them to return some stocks to their original supplier of an injection used to relieve acute migraines - Imigran Injection/Subject.

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Monday, 28 October 2013

Claim 20% off your Next Curos Order from Vygon (UK) Ltd

To celebrate the success of Curos Port Protectors, Vygon are offering 20% off all UK direct orders until 29/11/13

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People with Diabetes Asked to Check their Insulin Pens or Pen Cartridges because of Quality Concerns

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have asked people with diabetes to check their insulin pens or pen cartridges at home after a manufacturing fault has resulted in a precautionary recall across Europe of 33 specific batches of insulin pens and cartridges.



The products affected by the European recall are the NovoMix 30 Flexpen 100U/ml pre-filled pen and the NovoMix 30 Penfill 100U/ml cartridge. The manufacturing problem concerns a fault in the filling of the cartridges, which resulted in some batches of pens and cartridges containing too much or too little insulin.

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HCPC Launches the Be Sure Campaign, Urging People to Check the Register

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has launched its Be Sure campaign aimed at care and nursing home staff and residents as well as carers and older people.

 

Using a short film drama the campaign is designed to raise awareness of HCPC's role in regulating key health and care professionals. In particular, we want to help people understand the importance of checking that a professional is registered and explain how to raise a concern.
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NHS Needs Complaints Handling Revolution

An independent report out today chaired by Rt. Hon Ann Clwyd MP and Professor Tricia Hart calls for a revolution in the way in which the NHS handles complaints.

The report was commissioned by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, after the failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust were highlighted by Robert Francis earlier this year. Robert Francis QC highlighted that complaints are a warning sign of problems in a hospital.

The review received 2,500 responses describing poor care and a lack of compassion and deep dissatisfaction with the way in which their complaints had been handled. The review panel also heard from people who had not complained because they felt the process was too confusing or they feared for their future care. Many were also concerned about the lack of independence in the current system.

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Friday, 25 October 2013

Senior Lecturer Peri-operative Practice

We are looking for two experienced and enthusiastic registered Healthcare Practitioners with experience of supporting and teaching Dip (HE) Operating Department Practice pre-qualifying students and post registration peri-operative practice students, to join a dynamic and highly skilled CPPD teaching team. The role includes working with the Course Leader to deliver the Dip (HE) Operating Department Practice course, support ODP students in practice, deliver the post registration peri-operative suite of modules (theatre, recovery and anaesthetic) and assist with the development of the BSc (Hons) Operative Department Practice programme.

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Recovery Nurse / ODP in Edinburgh

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Recovery Nurse / ODP (newly qualified ODPs will be considered) to join an established Recovery team. It is a fantastic opportunity if you are caring, motivated and team orientated. You must also be able to display clinical competence in this area under minimal supervision.

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Recovery Nurse in Surrey

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Recovery Nurse to work for a private hospital group.

It is important that you have a second skill as well including; endoscopy, scrub or anaesthetics. The hospital is actively recruiting for experienced nurses to complement their robust and dynamic existing team. It is also essential that you have paediatric experience.

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Recovery Nurses in Oxfordshire

We are looking for experienced, highly motivated and flexible Recovery Nurses with orthopaedic experience to join an Operating Theatre team within a private hospital.

In addition to your strong clinical skills, you will the personality to work as part of a small dedicated team with proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently as required.

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Recovery and ITU Team Lead in London

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experience Recovery and ITU Senior Nurse / Team Leader to work for a leading private hospital in London.

You will be leading the Recovery and ITU areas within the hospital as well as being the lead in the operational management of these two areas. You will be acting as a mentor to junior staff and maintaining a high quality of standards throughout the operating theatres.

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Part Time PACU Nurse in Wiltshire

We are currently looking for a PACU nurse (post-anaesthesia care unit) to join an existing team within a successful Treatment Centre.

Your role will involve; Assessing, planning and implementing individual patient care, having regard for the differing needs of sedation, anaesthesia, endoscopy, surgery and recovery and participate as a member of the team, to demonstrate and develop clinical assessment skills. It is also important that you have the ability to prioritise the care for patients undergoing surgical/anaesthetic procedures,

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PACU Lead

We are currently looking for a PACU Lead (post-anaesthesia care unit) to join and lead an existing team within a successful Treatment Centre. You will be responsible for the management of the pre and post anaesthetic care unit (PACU), and to manage the PACU staff, maintaining a high standard of care at all times.

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Orthopaedic Operating Theatre Scrub Nurse / ODP

We are currently looking to recruit a skilled Orthopaedic Operating Theatre Scrub Nurse / ODP to join a busy operating theatre department within a private hospital.

The successful candidate will work in an already established team, and will be expected to provide and maintain a high quality service.

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ODP / OPERATING THEATRE NURSE East Cheshire £28k

We are currently looking to recruit a skilled Perioperative Practitioner with Scrub experience to join a busy department within a private hospital.

The successful candidate will work in an already established team, and will be expected to provide and maintain a high quality service. We can offer support from a strong management team, the opportunity to work along side expert clinicians, access to professional and personal development and experience within a dynamic working experience.

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ODP / Scrub Nurse Up to £27k depending on experience West Midlands Full Time or Part Time

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ODP or Scrub Nurse to work for a leading Clinic providing both surgical and non surgical procedures in the West Midlands area. Procedures include; eye surgery, plastics, face and breast surgeries, foot and ankle and weight loss surgeries etc.. The clinic has 1 very busy operating theatre where all surgical procedures will take place.

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ODP / Scrub Nurse in Surrey

An opportunity has become available for experienced ODP to join a small operating theatre team in a lead private hospital in Surrey. The Hospital has 2 operating theatres and covers a wide range of specialities including orthopaedics, gynae, general surgery etc.. It is essential you are an experienced ODP with experience in Scrub, Recovery and Anaesthetics as you will be covering all areas.

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ODP in Manchester

We are currently looking for ODPs with at least 2 of the 3 specialities including; Scrub, recovery and or anaesthetics.

You will be joining a small but very busy operating theatre department within a private hospital. The specialities they cover include; ENT, General Surgical, Gynaecology, Urology, Orthopaedics, plastics etc...

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A quarter of hospital trusts in England are at raised risk of providing poor care, a review by the regulator shows.

The findings are based on monitoring by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of a host of data, including death rates, serious errors and patient surveys.

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Thursday, 24 October 2013

ODP in Devon

We are looking for enthusiastic ODPs to join an existing friendly Operating Theatre Team in Devon. The experienced operating theatre team provides extraordinary standards of care and practice in a multi-speciality environment. It is essential that you are an experienced ODP with experience in orthopaedics, cosmetics and general surgery.

You should be able to demonstrate a professional accountable for the safety and quality of clinical practice, liaise with senior staff on issues related to patient care and patient and staff safety and maintain effective relationships with staff, consultants and patients.

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ODP Day Case Theatres in Nottinghamshire

We are currently looking for experienced and Newly Qualified ODPs to work in a busy day case theatre.

You will act in support of the senior staff, ensuring high standards of effective care are delivered to all patients within the Day Case Theatre suite, whilst maintaining communication within the team. You must have experience in theatre / anaesthetic practice and be prepared to take on greater responsibility within the theatre suite.

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ODP in Edinburgh

A fantastic opportunity for an experienced ODP has come up to work for a Private Hospital in Edinburgh.

Your main responsibilities will include; providing exemplary planned care for patients within the perioperative and assist in the management and organisation of care provision in the operating theatre.

You should have solid Anaesthetic, Recovery and Scrub experience with a broad surgical background as you will be covering a range of specialities.

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Newly Qualified Operating Theatre Scrub Nurses / ODPs in Somerset

We are currently looking for Newly Qualified Operating Theatre Scrub Nurses /ODPs to work within a busy and developing operating theatre department within a fantastic Leading Private Hospital.

You will ensure that high standards of effective care are delivered to all patients within the operating theatre suite, whilst maintaining strong communication within the team. The team believes that there should be no compromises when it comes to the care of their patients, which is why it is so important that the hospital recruits nurses /ODPs with the same values and passion for patient care.

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Lead Scrub Practitioner in Birmingham

We are currently looking for an experienced Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner with solid scrub experience across a range of surgical specialities procedures including general surgery, gynaecology, ophthalmology, bariatric, spinal, urology and cosmetic surgery.

You will be passionate about patient care, high clinical standards and always looking for ways to improve.

You will be involved in training new and junior member of staff in a multiple of surgical specialities as well as being involved in continuing the development if the team.

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Lead Anaesthetic Practitioner in London

You will be involved in the day to day running of the operating theatre, acting as a mentor to Junior staff members, maintain a high quality of care throughout the operating theatre and act as a specialist anaesthetic practitioner.

You should have significant post registration experience within anaesthetics, experience within a wide range of specialities and must be prepared to assist the scrub and circulating staff during busy periods.

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Endoscopy Staff Nurses in Nottinghamshire

We are currently looking for experienced and newly qualified Endoscopy Nurses to work in a busy day case theatre in Nottinghamshire.

Your role will including supporting the senior staff members, ensuring high standards of effective care are delivered to all patients within the Endoscopy suite and clinic areas and will be required to maintain strong communication within the team.

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Endoscopy Sister in Kent

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Endoscopy Sister to work for a Private Hospital group. The hospitals have an excellent reputation for providing outstanding medical and surgical facilities supported by Specialist Consultants, Specialist Nurses and Physiotherapists.

Your role will include being the point of contact for junior endoscopy staff members, so being reliable, responsible and supportive is essential. You will be required to work independently in the absence of the Unit Manager and manage any Endoscopy Operative issues in the absence of the Manager.

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Endoscopy Practitioners in Kent

We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced, highly motivated endoscopy staff that have a flexible approach to working. You will be required to be able to work in the department in the absence of the Unit Manager as a responsible team member and to lead an Endoscopy list. Work as a team member in the Endoscopy Unit offering a cost-effective, quality service to consultants and patients and be competent and experienced in all areas of diagnostic and therapeutic Endoscopic procedures.

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Emergency Next of Kin Card Celebrates 14th Anniversary

The Next of Kin Card is celebrating its fourteenth anniversary this year by reminding the British public that it can be a real lifesaver. Created by a UK entrepreneur, the unique card is already carried by more than three million people but, with 195,723 reported casualties on British roads in 2012 according to the latest statistics and millions more accidents and emergencies at home, the card could be the reason a friend or loved one gets a second chance at life.

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Monday, 21 October 2013

Hywel Dda Health Board plan to cancel some elective orthopaedic surgery

Hywel Dda Health Board plan to cancel some elective orthopaedic surgery

We are looking for experienced and qualified Endoscopy Nurses / ODPs to work for a leading private hospital in Surrey.

You will be providing exemplary planned care for patients requiring endoscopy procedures which could include colonoscopy, enteroscopy, ERCP, EUS, flexible sigmoidoscopy, gastroscopy flexible cystoscopy and hysteroscopy or PEG insertion. You will also be assisting in the management and organisation of the endoscopic procedures in the hospital.

The successful candidate will be a qualified registered general nurse or ODP with solid endoscopy experience. An endoscopy qualification would be desirable but not essential.

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Endoscopy Lead in Buckinghamshire

We are currently looking for an experienced Endoscopy Lead to work as part of a dedicated team to provide a high standard of individualised patient care as part of the Operating Theatre Department

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I am currently recruiting for an Anaesthetic Practitioner / ODP to work for a private hospital group.

We are looking for a full-time / part-time anaesthetics practitioner or ODP to provide and maintain a high quality of service. You will need to have strong general surgery experience.

A range of specialities will be an advantage. You must be able to work in teams with minimum supervision.

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Edinburgh - Anaesthetic Nurse / ODP

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Anaesthetic Nurse / ODP (newly qualified ODPs will be considered) to join an established Anaesthetic team. It is a fantastic opportunity for a caring, motivated and team orientated Nurse / ODP. You must also be able to display clinical competence in this area under minimal supervision.

You will be working across two sites in a fast paced challenging environment with exposure to multiple surgical specialities so flexibility is essential.

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Anaesthetic / Recovery Nurse / ODP Lancashire £26k - £29k

We are looking for enthusiastic Anaesthetic & Recovery Practitioner to join an existing friendly Operating Theatre Team in Lancashire. The experienced operating theatre team provides extraordinary standards of care and practice in a multi-speciality environment.

It is essential that you are a qualified Nurse or ODP with experience within Anaesthetic and Recovery. You will be covering arrange of specialities including a large number of orthopaedic procedures so a broad based background is important. Newly qualified nurses or ODPs will be considered as long as you have solid placement experience within an operating theatre environment. Training will be provided.

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Operating Theatre Team Leader Anaesthetic & Recovery in Buckinghamshire

We are currently recruiting for an Anaesthetic & Recovery Operating Theatre Team Leader to join an existing busy operating theatre team within a private hospital in the Buckinghamshire area.

You should be an experienced perioperative practitioner with a Registered Nurse or ODP qualification with solid Anaesthetic & Recovery experience and a clear NMC / HPC registration. A perioperative mentorship course and or ALS qualification would be desirable but not essential.

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Advanced Scrub Practitioner in Somerset

We are currently looking for an Advanced Scrub Practitioner to join an experienced team in the Somerset area.

Your key responsibilities will include;
demonstrating advanced clinical skills and the ability to plan daily assignments with speciality team members;
prioritise care delivery, to recognise the importance of a Multidisciplinary team approach to patient care and co-ordinate care delivery acknowledging individual personal contributions along with acting as a resource person for others in the planning of care;
ensuring nursing practice is evidence based and support and develop new ways of working; demonstrate a working knowledge of standards of practice and relevant policy.

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Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Up to £50,000 depending on experience

Full Time or Part Time

Surrey

We are currently recruiting for an Advanced Nurse Practitioner to join an Out of Hours Service providing safe and effective telephone advice, health assessment and information to the general public. The Out of Hours Service is available from 6.30pm to 8.00am weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays.

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Recovery Team Leader in Southampton

A treatment centre in Southampton that treats solely NHS patients for minor injuries and minor operations are looking for a Recovery Team Leader.

Reporting to the Pre and Post Op Manager; you will be working in the operating theatre department where a variety of minor surgery takes place including hip and knee replacements, hernia repairs, gall bladder surgery, gynaecological problems and cataracts.

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Scrub Practitioner (Orthopaedic) - West Sussex - Full Time - Permanent - £19,825 - £30,234

Our client; a hospital serving the local community and part of a network of leading healthcare providers, are looking for a Scrub Practitioner to join their team in West Sussex.

This role will involve scrubbing for a variety of procedures including, but not limited to, orthopaedics, gynaecology, general, plastics and ophthalmics.

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Operating Theatre Nurse in Portsmouth

I am currently looking for an approachable, enthusiastic and experienced Operating Theatre Nurse/ODP skilled in Anaesthetic, Scrub or Recovery to join a team in Portsmouth.

You will have experience in anaesthetic, scrub or recovery with recent practice within their main specialities of ENT, General Surgery, Oral Surgery, Urology, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management and Endoscopy.

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Scrub Practitioner

Medicor are pleased to invite applications for the position of Scrub Practitioner for our private healthcare client's hospital in central London.

Our client is looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) or Registered General Nurse (RGN) with scrub experience to join their friendly operating theatre team. Their team provides extraordinary standard of care and practice in a multi-speciality environment.

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A Month Left to Get Ready for European Antibiotic Awareness Day

Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem and a major threat to the future of healthcare - national and international action is needed to improve treatment, education and monitoring.

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Medicines Watchdog Initiates Recall of Medicines Manufactured by Wockhardt Ltd

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 17th October asked pharmacies, dispensing clinics and wholesalers to return five different prescription-only medicines in a variety of strengths. This follows a precautionary recall made by the manufacturer, Wockhardt Ltd, who are asking retail outlets to return five over the counter medicines.

Details ...

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

Operating Theatre Practitioner ~ Anaesthetics and Recovery in Kent

Our client; part of a group of leading healthcare providers, are looking for an Operating Theatre Practitioner to join their Anaesthetic and Recovery team in Kent.

This role will involve providing anaesthetics assistance for a variety of procedures including, but no tlimited to, gynaecology, general, orthopaedics, ophthalmic and plastics. It will also involve assisting in post anaesthetic care.

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Recovery Practitioner in London

Our client is looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) or Registered General Nurse (RGN) with recovery experience to join their friendly operating theatre team. Their team provides extraordinary standard of care and practice in a multi-speciality environment.

The role will be recovering patients from a variety of procedures, as well as supporting the operating theatre team. You will be responsible for ensuring the recovery bay is ready and well equipped to receive the patient from the operating theatre, monitoring the patient's vital signs and looking for any signs of discomfort or pain and taking action to include drug administration.

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Scrub Practitioner ~ Orthopaedics in Northamptonshire

Our client, a leading private health care provider, are currently looking for experienced Scrub practitioners to join their team. They undertake specialist procedures including orthopaedics, cosmetics and spinal surgery.

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Scrub Nurse - London - Full Time - Permanent - £29,588 - £33,510

Our Client, a prestigious Hospital for Women and Children, are looking for an experienced Scrub Nurse to join their team.

This role with involve scrubbing for a variety of procedures for women and children including gynaecology, endoscopy, obstetrics and paediatric surgery including complex paediatric procedures.

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Recovery Practitioner/ Nurse in London

We are currently looking for an experienced recovery practitioner to work for this well known hospital in central London.

Required:
- RGN or ODP qualified
- NMC or HCPC registered
- Recovery experience
- Paediatric experience

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Operating Theatre Practitioner - Surrey - Full Time - Permanent - £28,000 - £34,000

Our Client, a busy medium sized hospital is currently looking to expand its team in operating theatres with experienced Operating Theatre Practitioners to work across the recovery, scrub or anaesthetics roles.

This position will involve working across the operating theatres in either recovery, scrub or anaesthetics (dependant on your skill set).

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Senior Operating Department Practitioner

Our client, part of a group of leading healthcare providers, are currently looking for an experienced Operating Theatre Practitioner to work across anaesthetics, scrub and recovery.

Reporting to the Operating Theatre Manager; this post will involve rotating through anaesthetics, recovery and scrub as required as well as assisting senior members of staff in the running and management of the department; taking charge in their absence.

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Operating Theatre Recovery Nurse in Harrow

We are recruiting for an Operating Theatre Recovery Nurse to join a private Hospital based in Middlesex.

The purpose of the role is to provide quality planned care for patients during peri operative phase of care. You will also be expected to support and assist in the management of the organisation of care provision within the operating department.

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SCRUB NURSE / ODP - OXFORDSHIRE - £27,000 - £33,000

We are looking for a Staff Nurse/ODP who can demonstrate delivery of a high quality clinical patient care through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.

Key accountabilities of the role are providing skilled, consistent clinical care to all patient and support the Perioperative team

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Operating Theatre Practitioner - Full Time - Surrey

Medicor Global is pleased to announce we are recruiting for an Operating Theatre Practitioner to join a private hospital group in Surrey.

The purpose of the role is to assist the operating theatre manager in the daily running of the operating theatre suite, ensuring the highest standards of care and clinical services are maintained.

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Operating Theatre Nurse in Portsmouth

I am are currently looking for an approachable, enthusiastic and experienced Operating Theatre Nurse/ODP
 Practitioner skilled in Anaesthetic, Scrub or Recovery to join a team in Portsmouth.

You will have experience in anaesthetic, scrub or recovery with recent practice within their main specialities of ENT, General Surgery, Oral Surgery, Urology, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management and Endoscopy.

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Operating Theatre Practitioner ~ Scrub in Berkshire

Our client; a hospital who is part of a group of independent healthcare providers, are looking for an Scrub Practitioner to join their busy team in Berkshire.

This role will involve working across several operating theatres where patients undergo a wide variety of procedures including orthopaedics, gynaecology, general, general surgery, minor vascular and bariatrics.

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Scrub Practitioner in Cheshire

Our Client, a large hospital in Cheshire are looking for two Scrub Practitioners to join their team.

Reporting to the Lead Scrub Practitioner; this role will involve working across seven operating theatres scrubbing for a variety of procedures including orthopaedics, gynaecology, urology and ENT.

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Scrub Practitioner - Bristol

This is a brand new hospital that has been built in Bristol and we are looking for Operating Theatre Scrub Practitioners to join this team.

This role will involve scrubbing for a variety of procedures including, but not limited to orthopaedics, gynaecology, general, plastics and ophthalmics.

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Patient Survey Highlights Variation in Benefit from Common NHS Operations

New online map shows survey results by local provider in England

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Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Operating Theatre Practitioner Anaesthetics - Exeter - Permanent - Full Time

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Operating Theatre Practitioner to join this leading private healthcare company in Exeter. You will be working along side an established team across a variety of procedures.

This role will involve providing anaesthetics assistance to the Anaesthetist and preparing the operating theatres and trolleys for surgical procedures. Candidates who are able to, and are interested in scrub, will also have the opportunity to continue using those skills across the operating theatre department.

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Operating Theatre Practitioner - Anaesthetics - Warwickshire

Our Client, a hospital which is part of a group of healthcare providers, are looking for an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) to join their team in Warwickshire.

This ODP role will involve working in the operating theatres, providing anaesthetics assistance to the Anaesthetist on a variety of elective procedures. You may also be required to rotate through into recovery if skilled to do so.

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Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) in Surrey

Medicor are pleased to consider applications for the position of ODP working for a private hospital in Surrey.

The successful candidate will be a HCPC registered Operating Department Practitioner, with experience in Scrub, Recovery and Anaesthetics in a post-registration setting.

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Formal Negotiation of NHS Doctors' Contracts Announced Today

The Department of Health has today (15 October 2013) confirmed that NHS Employers have a formal mandate to negotiate with the British Medical Association on the national contractual terms of doctors. Negotiations will start this morning.

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Sunday, 13 October 2013

Royal College of Surgeons chair taskforce to review implementation of EU Working Time Directive in the NHS


The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) is to chair an independent review of the implementation of the Working Time Directive (WTD) on the NHS and doctors Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced on the 11th of October.

The review, which will focus on how the Directive has been implemented, will make sure that continuity of patient care and opportunities for training are not being compromised.
Medical professionals and providers from across the NHS will be represented on the taskforce, including the British Medical Association (BMA). They will investigate the evidence and provide expert advice on the impact of the regulations on the delivery of patient care and the training of the next generation of doctors, including across different specialisms.

The taskforce will report to the Secretary of State for Health in January 2014 with recommendations for government policy on the implementation of the Directive, including practical recommendations for improving doctors contracts. By focusing specifically on the way the Directive is being brought in across the country and looking at best practice, the new taskforce hopes to come up with immediate solutions for mitigating the impact of the Directive.

Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt said:

No-one wants to go back to the bad old days of tired doctors working excessive hours, but when senior clinicians tell us this directives implementation is harming patient safety and doctors training, its right that we take another look at it.

This independent review by clinicians for clinicians will give us a sensible, frontline view on the working hours of British hospital doctors.

Professor Norman Williams, President, Royal College of Surgeons said:

This is a vital piece of work and I am pleased to be chairing this taskforce.

There is a need for a deeper examination of the evidence on the impact and implementation of the reduced working hours on the delivery of care and training of doctors; the formation of this group will allow this.

We will then produce expert advice and practical solutions to the Secretary of State with the aim of improving patient care.

Wednesday, 9 October 2013

Wolters Kluwer Health Garners Five Major Wins at Annual BMA Medical Book Awards


Grants Atlas of Anatomy Honored with Special Award for Best Illustrated Book


LONDON (October 9, 2013) Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals and pharmacy, today announced a total of 15 wins at the 2013 British Medical Association (BMA) Medical Book and Patient Information Awards.  The company, and imprints it represents, were honored with five major prizes including four first-place Category Awards and the BMA Illustrated Book Award for best Illustrative text.  In addition, the company received 10 Highly Commended awards for its Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) medical texts.  Announced at BMA House, these annual awards are considered to be among the most prestigious and influential in medical publishing.

We are thrilled and honored to have so many titles recognized by the BMA this year, said Susan Driscoll, President & CEO, Wolters Kluwer Health, Professional & Education.  Its a well-deserved acknowledgement to our authors, contributors and editorial teams.  All of their skill and hard work has paid off and translated into some of the worlds best and most innovative medical publishing.

Wolters Kluwer Health received four first prize wins out of a total of 21 BMA Book Awards by Category including:
 
  • Osborns Brain: Imaging, Pathology and Anatomy (Published by Amirsys; distributed by LWW) (Radiology)
  • Manual of Cardiovascular Medicine, 4e (Cardiology)
  • Visual Diagnosis and Care of the Patient with Special Needs (Health & Social Care)  
  • The Washington Manual of Surgical Pathology, 2e (Pathology)

The LWW title, Grants Atlas of Anatomy, 13e, also was honored with the BMA Illustrated Book Award, one of the six highly coveted Special Awards given this year.  This special award is for the book or resource that makes the best use of visual media across all shortlisted entries.  The award reviewer summed it up as, This is a fantastic anatomy book which I consider a new leader in this field. The combination of images is varied and very effective. The use of realistic dissection illustrations, different radiological modalities, and colourful photographs are a pedagogical success.
 

A total of 10 LWW titles also were awarded Highly Commended designations by the judges, including:
 
  • Complications in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2e (Anaesthesia)
  • Grants Atlas of Anatomy, 13e (Basic and Clinical Sciences)
  • Marks Basic Medical Biochemistry, 4e (Basic and Clinical Sciences)
  • Medical Physiology: Principles for Clinical Medicine, 4e (Basic and Clinical Sciences)
  • Moss and Adams Heart Disease in Infants, Children and Adolescents: Including the Fetus and Young Adult, 8e (Cardiology)
  • Werner and Ingbars The Thyroid: A Fundamental and Clinical Text, 10e (Internal Medicine)
  • Histology for Pathologists, 4e (Pathology)
  • Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology, 4e (also available as a 4 volume set) (Radiology)
  • Acute Care Surgery (Surgery)
  • Cormans Colon and Rectal Surgery, 6e (Surgical Specialties)

The annual BMA Medical Book Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the medical literature.  According to the BMA website, 641 books were entered this year. In addition to 21 category prizes, special awards were made for best illustrated book, best student textbook, best book by young authors, and for a book that promotes better understanding of science.  The awards were announced in London on September 17, 2013.

For more information, visit the BMA website or LWW.com.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

"My Pain Feels Like…" - Pain Perception is as Individual as Pain Patients

A new website helps pain patients to better express and explain how their pain feels like

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Monday, 7 October 2013

The Operating Theatre Journal October 2013

Now available to download from OTJONLINE

http://otjonline.com

NO PAY RISE FOR NHS STAFF WILL BE THE FINAL STRAW THAT LEAD TO CALLS FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION SAYS GMB


A tax break to married couples will cost £600m per year compared to £500m per year saved by reneging on the promised pay rise to NHS staff says GMB
GMB, the union for workers in the NHS, responded to news that Government has told the NHS pay review body that it will not honour the promise for an across the board pay rise for NHS staff from 1st April 2014.
Rehana Azam, GMB National Officer for the NHS, said the NHS pay review body is an independent body which receives evidence which then recommends pay rises in the NHS.
You only have to spend time with a paramedic, nurse, theatre porter or any other frontline NHS worker to see their number one priority is to deliver quality care and the best outcomes to patients they care for.
Why then does Jeremy Hunt want to berate and bully staff while they are trying to do a good job often under difficult circumstances. This is just wrong and will not be tolerated.
If the Secretary of State wants to employ bullying employer tactics to dictate to this independent pay review body how pay should be determined in the NHS our response is simple - we will fight this.
Government's attacks on the NHS are already significantly undermining the delivery of care.
GMB members are already totally fed up with this governments cuts to NHS services and jobs which staff recognize put patient wellbeing at risk.
If the Government now wants to attack NHS staff pay while offering tax cuts to married couples it will be the final straw that will lead to calls for industrial action.

Offering a tax break to married couples will cost £600m per year to the Exchequer compared to the £500m per year that could be saved by reneging on the promised pay rise to NHS staff. "

Saturday, 5 October 2013

NHS pay proposal criticised by health unions

Unions have criticised government moves to halt a 1% pay rise for all NHS staff in England.

The Department of Health said the increase was unaffordable alongside the current system which sees many staff automatically receive incremental annual rises.

It has urged the NHS pay review body to withhold the rise for 1.3m staff.

Rachael Maskell, of the Unite trade union, said staff deserved the pay reward for "holding the NHS together".

Health trusts are currently under pressure to make savings and the NHS wage bill accounts for around 40% of its budget.

All public sector pay increases are capped at 1%.

The Department of Health (DoH) proposes using the funding intended for the rise to "modernise" pay structures.

It says the automatic increments - linked to length of service and satisfactory performance - add £900m to salary costs.

But the DoH has stressed no decisions on changes to pay have been taken, insisting independent bodies will make their recommendations in February or March next year.

The plans, which were outlined in the DoH's submission to two independent pay review bodies, have been criticised by Unite and Labour.

Ms Maskell said: "The Department of Health have got other choices. They're entering into a reorganisation which is costing £3bn, which nobody asked for and isn't adding anything to patient care.

"It is about choices and the NHS staff have already had two years of a pay freeze - 1% last year - and, quite frankly, are really falling behind inflation now with their wages."

Ms Maskell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that motivation and morale was down among frontline health workers "at this very difficult time".

However, in its submission the DoH points to a staff survey suggesting high levels of motivation and morale.

"The government's view, therefore, remains that basic pay increases should only be implemented if there is strong evidence that recruitment, retention, morale or motivation issues require this," the department says in its written submission.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham suggested the NHS reorganisation had taken money out of front-line services.

"There has to be pay restraint in the NHS as well as other public services... but the NHS has been through some very difficult years - so have NHS staff - and this was a modest increase to recognise the pressure that all families are under.

"To take it away, to break that promise, is just another kick in the teeth."

Staff representatives have also reacted angrily to the plans.

"What they have done is inflammatory," said Christina McAnea, head of health at Unison and joint chair of the NHS Staff Council.

"We are not going to negotiate while a gun is held to our head for a paltry 1% pay rise - our members will not react well to that."

'Affordable' service

Dr Mark Porter, chairman of the British Medical Association council added: "We recognise fully the economic constraints the NHS is working under but the continued erosion in the real value of contracts for doctors has now reached a critical point."

He told the BBC: "What we won't see is people leaving in droves... healthcare workers are absolutely committed to the NHS and what they do.


"What is going to happen though is we're going to find it increasingly hard to recruit, partly for the specialist skills and partly for the numbers of staff that we'd need to bring into the health service to implement the safe minimum staffing levels."

A DoH spokeswoman stressed its proposals would "help protect jobs and improve care".

She said: "Many NHS staff have continued to receive pay rises of up to 3.5% and we want to keep working with the trade unions and employers on affordable pay.

"The measures we are proposing will help increase quality for patients and help us realise our vision of an affordable seven-day service."

Setting out the government's spending plans in June, Chancellor George Osborne said ministers were working to "remove automatic pay rises" for teachers, health professionals, prison and police staff.

The DOH drew attention to Mr Osborne's comments and confirmed it wanted NHS pay to have "stronger links to performance, quality and productivity".

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