Developing a modern surgical workforce and delivering a consultant-led service

摘要

The surgical workforce has grown considerably over recent years but, despite government attempts at temporary expansion and 'pump-priming' of national training numbers (NTNs), there are still not enough consultant surgeons to deliver a safe and efficient service to patients and to meet the increased demands of training the future surgical workforce. Several factors have contributed to our awareness that the rate of expansion in trained surgeons is insufficient to meet current demands. These are the need for streamlined and competency-based training, the European Working Time Directive (EWTD),the increase in subspecialisation, the feminisation of the workforce and the increasing demands on consultants made by'non-surgical' professional responsibilities.