Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgeons reconstruct, unblock or bypass arteries with precision procedures to restore blood flow to organs of the body, helping to reduce sudden death, preventing strokes, and reducing the risk of amputation. A further central role for vascular surgery is to address aortic aneurysms which, when they rupture, can rapidly lead to death.
The key aims of the GIRFT national report for vascular surgery were to make better use of surgical resources; enable a greater proportion of patients to receive urgent surgery sooner; and to reduce length of stay and cut readmissions.
The report recommended the creation of a fully-fledged ‘hub and spoke’ model of specialist vascular surgery units to ensure round-the-clock availability of early diagnostics, decision-making expertise and timely intervention.
- Vascular Surgery Clinical Lead (retired)
Professor Mike Horrocks
Clinical Lead for Vascular Surgery (retired)
Professor Mike Horrocks focused on both elective and emergency vascular surgery in networks and trusts throughout his long career.
He was professor of surgery in Bath before his retirement and has been secretary general of the European Society of Vascular Surgery, president of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, president of ASGBI and a council member of RCS chairing education and professional standards, culminating as senior vice-president.
Appointed consultant surgeon at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in 1982, Mike moved to Bath in 1991 to take up the postgraduate chair in surgery with an interest in vascular surgery. He attended Guys Hospital for his undergraduate training followed by post-graduate training at Ipswich, Guys Hospital, Medway, Kings and the South West.
- Summary of National Report Findings
Vascular networks will improve patient outcomes and save more lives
The NHS could save more lives by enabling more patients to receive urgent surgery sooner if a fully-fledged vascular networks model was adopted across the NHS in England.
The GIRFT review of vascular surgery found that networks would help to reduce the likelihood of life-threatening strokes, TIAs (transient ischaemic attacks), aortic aneurysm ruptures and arterial blockages.
The recommendation for networks has been welcomed by The Vascular Society and the Royal College of Surgeons.
Find out more about GIRFT’s data-led approach and best practice resources:
- Vascular Surgery National Report
In March 2018, GIRFT published its national speciality report for Vascular Surgery:
Click above to view the pdf report
- Vascular Surgery Report Video
Watch the video about the Vascular Surgery report…
Click above to play the Vascular Surgery national report video
- Vascular Surgery News