National Training Programme in LCR Surgey
The SouthWest Laparoscopic Consortium comprising surgeons from Bristol (Tony Dixon, Rob Longman), Plymouth (Mark Coleman - project lead) and Yeovil (Nader Francis) has been named by the DOH as one of 11 centers in England who will lead the way in providing training for the country's colorectal surgeons in laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) for patients with bowel cancer.
The other units comprise
- Freeman Hospital Newcastle
- Bradford Royal Infirmary
- Castle Hill Hospital Hull
- Queens Medical Centre Nottingham
- John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford
- Queen Alexander Hospital Portsmouth
- Colchester-Guildford-St Marks' Hospitals
- Basingstoke & Frimley Park
- Kings & St Thomas' Hospitals
- St Mary's & Royal Marsden Hospitals
- Bristol, Yeovil & Plymouth
This is an initiative led by Prof. Mike Richards and Teressa Moss from the Cancer Action Team and funded by the DOH. Whilst no one can dispute the advantages of LCRS fewer thaN 15% OF COLORECTAL RESECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT LAPAROSCOPICALLY. Up until now there has been no structured training strategy for introducing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection, a highly complex and relatively new surgical procedure to mainstream UK surgical practice. The main aim of the consortiums is to ensure the safe delivery of the highest possible quality of patient care across the whole country. All sucessful centres were interviewed at the DOH in London following a submission of a tender. The programme is intended to run for 2 years with the aim of training enough colorectal surgeons in LCS to a level of independence in routine colonic resections This will give all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in England have access to a trained surgeon.
The whole process is to be coordinated from Plymouth: National Training Programme (LAPCO) Unit 7 Scott Building 18 Davy Road Tamar Science Park Derriford Plymouth PL6 8BY
Tel: +44 1752 439844
Fax: +44 1752 315053
Email: mail@lapco.nhs.uk Programme Administrator
Joanne Foley
Tel 01752 439844
Fax 01752 315053
Email joanne.foley@lapco.nhs.uk
Programme Manager
Laura Stapleton
Tel 01752 439845
Email laura.stapleton@lapco.nhs.uk
The SWLC team aim to delivery high-quality training to consultant surgeons throughout the SW region and beyond. The setup is designed to provide support through formal training (dry and wet labs for trainees with limited laparoscopic experience), anatomy labs) and cadaveric operating, self-directed learning, performance assessment and clinical mentoring in a way that is easily accessible to learners.
Remember that unlike the other centres, the SWLC team members are comitted to travel to trainees trust to deliver one to one supervised teaching.
The SWLC is managed from the Yeovil Academy by Fiona Carter.
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