PA in Neurosurgery/Surgery

Susan Sollazzi made this Freedom of Information request to Grampian Health Board Automatic anti-spam measures are in place for this older request. Please let us know if a further response is expected or if you are having trouble responding.

The request was successful.

Dear Grampian Health Board,

I refer to my FoI request sent on 31 July under the heading ‘Consent re PAs acting beyond scope’. It relates to a PA working as first assistant in operating theatres in Aberdeen. I have no reference number, having received no acknowledgement of my request. I expect your response to that request no later than 30 August.

This is a new FoI request relating to the same subject, following receipt of a letter from Dr Adam Coldwells, Interim Chief Executive of NHS Grampian. He states that, ‘The role of our PA is to help with the logistics of the Neurosurgery service and not to act as a Registrar or Surgeon.’ He avoids commenting on the PA acting as the first Assistant, a role for which they are unqualified.

In reality, what specific task is the PA undertaking that would not be better done by a trained doctor or theatre nurse?

Please also answer the following:
1. Have any PAs acted as first assists in theatre/surgery?
2. How many times?
3. What SOPs are in place around this?
4. What risk assessments have been undertaken?
5. Has the patient/patient's parent/guardian given informed consent in every case?
6. What impact does this have on training opportunities for doctors?

Many thanks.

Yours faithfully,

Susan Sollazzi

GRAM Foi, Grampian Health Board

OFFICIAL

Dear Ms Sollazzi,
 
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
 
Thank you for your email dated 24 August 2024, requesting information
regarding physician associates. We have recorded this request and are
currently processing it in accordance with the Freedom of Information
(Scotland) Act 2002.
 
A response to your request for information is due by 20 September 2024.
Please allow for delivery time.
 
We will contact you again in due course.
 
Best wishes,
 
Hollie
 
Hollie Baxter
Information Governance Officer
Information Governance Team
 
NHS Grampian
Rosehill House
Cornhill Road
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZG
 
Phone: 01224 551319
[1][NHS Grampian request email]
 
OFFICIAL

 

 

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GRAM Foi, Grampian Health Board

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Sollazzi

Please find attached response to your request.

Regards

Chris

Chris Morrice

Senior Information Governance Officer

NHS Grampian

Rosehill House

ARI

AB25 2ZG

Email: christopher.[email address]

 

 

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This email is intended for the named recipient only. If you have received
it by mistake,
please (i) contact the sender by email reply; (ii) delete the email from
your system; .
and (iii) do not copy the email or disclose its contents to anyone.

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