Recently Sheryll Murray MP took up the opportunity to learn more about the important role anaesthesiologists undertake following an invitation from a constituent.
Sheryll was invited by J Robert Sneyd, Vice Dean & Professor of Anaesthesia at Peninsula Medical School, having met him previously on a visit to Derriford with Andrew Lansley the then Shadow now Secretary of State for Health.
The Professor said of Sheryll’s visit, “I wrote to Sheryll at her constituency office and proposed an informal visit. I offered a list of things we might see and talk about. My topics included: the role of anaesthetists, GP commissioning, current issues for hospitals and hospital doctors, Royal Colleges, medical education, revalidation and patient engagement. Sheryll wrote back enthusiastically and I sorted out permission from the Chief Executive, theatre teams and the two Universities that make up the Peninsula Medical School.
“We started with coffee in my University office and 45minutes of discussion. I sketched out the patient journey from pre-assessment, through the same-day admissions unit to theatre ‘holding’, the anaesthetic room, theatre, recovery and ICU then we transferred to Theatres where I’d arranged a brand new set of shoes (which turned out to be two sizes too big!). Theatre coordinator, ODPs, nurses, anaesthetists and surgeons were all helpful and engaged and we then went around the ICU and met medical students and junior doctors. Finally we returned to my office for a sandwich lunch with more discussion and reflection on what we’d seen. The whole visit lasted three hours.
“Most of our time in theatres was spent at the coordinators desk and in anaesthetic rooms. We spoke to one anaesthetist through the internal doorway between the anaesthetic room and the theatre. In another theatre we went inside during a natural break for radiography and deployment of equipment from CSSD. We had a good conversation with the surgeon at a time when they were not able to operate. The patient was covered from view and not identifiable.
“Both of us found the visit useful. I had a chance to get across key points about anaesthetists and what we do and I spoke up for hospitals and specialists at a time of NHS reorganisation.”
Following the visit Sheryll said, “I found the visit most informative and it certainly gave me a different view of secondary healthcare to my preconceived view. I was also very impressed by the large theatre suite at Derriford Hospital where such a variety of operations are undertaken. I will be recommending to my fellow MPs that they engage in similar visits if they get the opportunity.
“I knew that anaesthetists are all medically qualified but I didn’t understand the breadth of the specialty. In particular I was unaware of your responsibilities in Intensive Care and the Pain Clinic. I’d previously been into an operating theatre as a patient but never as a visitor. I was amazed by the complexity of it all and appreciated the value of teamwork.
“I am very grateful to Robert for giving me this insight and I know it will assist me when I speak on Health Legislation as it progresses through the Parliamentary system.”
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Pictured: Sheryll Murray MP with Professor Sneyd during her visit.
For further information please contact Sheryll Murray’s office on 01579 344428