GIRFT has appointed two new clinicians to continue work on unlocking the potential of the perioperative pathway and optimising the use of theatres to manage the elective backlog.
Dr Greg Cook (consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) has been appointed as the GIRFT national clinical lead for theatre productivity, from his previous role as GIRFT’s clinical specialist advisor for theatres and anaesthetics.
Professor Giuseppe Garcea (consultant hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeon at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust) also joins the team as a specialist clinical advisor for theatres.
GIRFT’s theatres and perioperative medicine programme supports systems and providers to manage their elective backlog and deliver high-quality care for patients by improving the perioperative pathway and making best use of theatres and surgical hubs. A key priority is to reduce variation and encourage best practice in the processes and treatment of patients pre- and post-surgery, as well as improving theatre utilisation, efficiency and workforce.
Dr Cook is a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and has been clinical director for the Trafford Elective Surgical Hub (TESH) since its inception.
"I am delighted to have been appointed national clinical lead for theatre productivity and look forward to building on the impressive GIRFT work already underway, while developing an enhanced support offer to trusts looking to attain and exceed key theatre productivity metrics."
Professor Garcea is a consultant hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeon and deputy medical director for planned care at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, as well as holding an honorary professorship with the University of Leicester.
He has a particular interest in clinician-led improvement, translating national policy into meaningful operational change and working collaboratively with clinical teams to deliver measurable and lasting improvements in patient care.
"Having spent years leading service transformation locally, I'm excited by the opportunity to help deliver meaningful improvements for patients on a national scale through GIRFT."
The two new appointments will be working within GIRFT’s theatres and perioperative medicine team, which also includes:
- Dr Chris Snowden: national clinical lead for anaesthesia and perioperative medicine
- Emma McCone: national lead for pre-operative assessment
- Helen Leigh: national lead for CYP pre-operative assessment
- Dr Syed Ahmed: clinical specialist advisor for theatres
