Vascular surgery in the united kingdom

Abstract

An encouraging feature of the last 10 years in the U.K. (population 57.5 millions) has been the emergence of a corps of young vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists into the mainstream of clinical practice in district hospitals. There are now 500 consultant members of the national vascular surgical societ~ and the great majority are general surgeons with a specialist interest in vascular surgery. Advertisements for surgical and radiological vacancies in the medical press have lately been dominated by these appointments, and this new specialist cadre is a potent force for local change in operating departments, radiology suites and intensive therapy units. The benefits of vascular interventions to the community are felt at grassroots level by patients, family doctors and by local healthcare purchasers. As an example, the surgical service needs of the south west of England, which has a population of 3.5 millions, are met by a teaching hospital in Bristol and 12 district hospitals. There are 66 general surgeons of whom no less than 24 (36%) have a vascular interest and three quarters of all arterial operations in the region are done in district hospitals.