Wow! This is one to worry about,
For so many reasons the word,” Surgeon to me means the guy has a lot of experience and knows what he is doing.”
To find out that may not be the case, is a point I would not like to know just before an operation.
Then you find out that not all surgeons have undergone the same training, there are no restrictions on who can use the title, but the RCS wants only those with a medical degree and surgical training to be able to do so.
But others who use the title defended their right to do so. ?
It takes around 16 years of training and experience for surgeons to reach consultant level.
Those who the RCS feels should not use the title include “Podiatric surgeons,” they do not complete medical degrees, but are trained in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the foot.
But a spokesman for the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, which represents podiatric surgeons, defended the use of the title.
“Podiatric surgeons are specialist foot surgeons who have trained exclusively for up to 12 years in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the foot and associated structures.
He said they develop “highly skilled and meticulous surgical techniques”, and had to undergo six years of podiatric medicine training before completing masters in podiatric surgery in order to qualify for the title.
There are almost 80 “podiatric surgeons” working in NHS hospitals, some of them have even been awarded the title of Consultant, a situation which causes much confusion among patients who believe they’re being operated on by medical doctors.
The Department of Health was asked why surgeons with unaccredited qualifications are permitted to operate in NHS hospitals.
They replied: “The Department of Health has previously expressed concern to the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists about the use of the term “surgeon” which is protected for healthcare professionals who have a medical qualification as recognised by the GMC for doctors.”
In the early 1990s the Department of Health published a document called “Feet First” which promoted the idea of chiropodists with some surgical training performing procedures within teams.
It’s common for chiropodists to do minor skin surgery – removing in-growing toenails and corns for example. But a group of ambitious chiropodists realised that there was nothing to prevent them from doing ever more complex surgery.
In a presentation called “Crossing Professional Boundaries” to the Society of Podiatrists and Chiropodists, one member of the society quoted a podiatric surgeon as saying:”We were fully aware at the time that there was nothing in law to stop us from doing bone surgery… and that loophole is what we used…it would be very difficult for the law of the land to stop you.”
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists established the Faculty of Podiatric Surgery as an educational establishment and the body chiropodists would apply to for training as a podiatric surgeon.
On its website the faculty says its qualifications are registered under the Health Professions Council. But when asked about this registration, the HPC told BBC London:
“There isn’t a specific podiatric surgery course on our accredited list.”
Patient safety
The Society website also claims that a podiatric surgeon can apply for an NHS post after being awarded a fellowship at their own faculty of podiatric surgery, as well as the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.
The Problem is that the,RCS in Edinburgh say that they don’t have a single podiatric surgeon as a fellow, and yet there are 80 of these surgeons working in the NHS.
In contrast, a medical doctor training in England to become a surgeon would need to complete a training programme recognised by the Royal College of Surgeons, which in turn is overseen by the Post Graduate Medical Education Training Board – the statutory body responsible for all postgraduate medical training.
The Department of Health says: “The employer is responsible for ensuring that they (podiatric surgeons) are competent to undertake the role and that patient safety is not compromised.”
Another group the RCS feels should not use the title surgeon are “Aesthetic surgeons”, who may not have a medical degree or undertaken specialist training.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), whose members are fully qualified, backed the RCS.
It said it wanted to “draw a line in the sand”.
BAAPS president Mr Fazel Fatah said: “The public has been misled and cheated for too long by practitioners falsely claiming to be surgeons, without having the training and qualifications required.
“The issue is at the very centre of patient protection and the public deserve the peace of mind that doctors who carry out surgery are qualified and trained for that purpose.”
The college said its poll showed 92% thought use of the title should be protected in law.
Sue Woodward, chairwoman of the patient group at the RCS, said: “Currently patients are being left in the dark and cannot make informed decisions about their treatment.
“The law must be changed so only those who have undertaken the extensive medical training it takes to become a surgeon can use this title.
“This will avoid patients misunderstanding the qualification of the person treating them in the future.”
Prof Norman Williams, president of the RCS, said: “It was extremely worrying that in the health sector clarity regarding job titles is lacking.
“Patients undergoing treatment have a right to know the credentials of the person to whom they are entrusting their safety.
“The law can be very strict in protecting working titles and we believe the same legal cover should be extended to the title surgeon.”
A member of the Department of Health said: “They would expect employers to make sure that job titles are not misleading to the public.
“People may reasonably expect that someone who describes themselves as a surgeon is a registered doctor. They will always keep issues like this under review.
“The Department of Health is fully supportive of podiatrists who have undergone the appropriate training performing surgery of the foot and ankle.
“These professionals are regulated by the Health Professions Council (HPC) to ensure that they deliver high quality care for patients.”
Ok most of this is on the BBC news page about Health issues, but this is not the only situation that needs to be addressed.
There are people and business claiming to be Therapist who have not got qualifications, practising treatments on people that they are not qualified to do, without insurance, not belonging to any professional body and not having a clue about Anatomy, physiological, psychical and psychological well being. They are only out there for the money.
Then thankfully we have the therapists who, care about their clients believe in what they do, have studied hard, in their chosen subject and continue to do so, they are members of a recognised organised body and have full insurance.
I know the type of Practitioner, I think most people would prefer to go to and be a lot safer. It is so important that if you go to a therapist that they can prove their qualifications and knowledge, know what they are talking about can answer your questions, and if necessary can talk to your Doctor.”
I have a good relationship with my clients and in many cases can discuss things with their Doctor, I also have working relationship with a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor and an Orthopaedic Consultant, all of whom I can call on to aid assist and even refer the client to if and when necessary.
” My advice to anyone is checking first it is your body and unlike a car if goes really wrong you can’t replace it.
