Another survey has come to our attention via the ASiT list and Richard Lindley has asked us to publise it. Richard is the trainee representative for paediatric surgery and wants to know your view on general surgeons receiving training in paediatric surgery. Please read the survey and submit a response.

Survey - general surgery of childhood

Currently, most operations on children are performed by general surgeons and urologists operating in DGHs rather than by paediatric surgeons operating in tertiary centres. These operations are referred to as "the general surgery of childhood" and include herniotomies, circumcisions and orchidopexies.

However, the majority of the DGH consultants performing these operations are due to retire in the next few years, and currently very few general surgery trainees are declaring an interest in paediatric surgery. If this situation continues, there will have to profound changes in either the way the service to children is delivered or to the training of surgeons who will operate in DGHs. One suggestion has been to compel all general surgery SpRs (or MMC equivalent) to undergo 6 months of paediatric surgery experience. I am the trainee representative for paediatric surgery therefore very interested in trying to gauge the level of interest from current trainees in general surgery and urology regarding this topic, as it will potentially have an impact on the majority of trainees, not just paediatric surgeons. I would be very grateful if you could take 2 minutes to complete the following questionnaire: http://www.misterpoll.com/2133468489.html