Surgeons warned not to discuss lack of PPE

The Confederation of British Surgery has reported that almost 70 surgeons working in major hospitals around the country had been warned off discussing a lack of PPE by their trust.

In new research, the confederation says that its combination of statistics and views from hundreds of clinicians across the country could see a mass exodus of nearly 1,200 surgeons from the NHS.

A survey of 650 surgeons found that a third said the supply of PPE was inadequate at their hospital, with many complaining of inconsistent guidance, rationing of supplies and poor quality PPE when it was available. When asked if their concerns were dealt with satisfactorily, nearly a third said they were not addressed, or not effectively. Over one in ten (11 per cent) were asked by their employers to stop discussing PPE.

According to the union, many are now considering changes to the way they work as a result of the crisis – with more than half saying they would be avoiding face-to-face meetings with patients in the future. Additionally, more than 100 surgeons said they would be altering their surgical practice to avoid risky procedures that might generate virus-carrying droplets in the air.

And over 40 surgeons, around seven per cent, said they were now considering leaving surgery altogether.

John MacFie, president of the Confederation of British Surgery, said:  “As representatives of the surgical community, it was imperative that we ‘take its temperature’ and identify its most widespread views on the pandemic. Whilst many might not find some of their experiences and opinions on the subjects of – for example – PPE guidance and provision to be shocking, it has still been jarring to find that a third found their concerns ignored when they were raised, and more than a tenth were directed outright to drop the subject.

“The level of dissatisfaction with the lack of preparation for the crisis, and perceived disregard for healthcare workers’ safety was such, that one in twelve of all respondents are considering changing their discipline or leaving the field of surgery altogether. That, in fact, is a figure that should be horrifying to all.”