GENERAL-SURGERY WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN VASCULAR-SURGERY - CHANGING PATTERNS OF WORKLOAD

Prospective surveys of workload were carried out during 1989, 1990 and 1995. Analysis of outpatient referrals, inpatients and operations per formed over periods of 3 months was undertaken and the changing patter ns of general surgical and vascular surgical workload noted. The numbe r of outpatient referrals rose throughout the study period because of a significant increase in the number of patients with both varicose ve ins and other vascular problems. There was an increase in the number o f emergency admissions for vascular disease. The number of patients ha ving general surgical operations fell; there was a corresponding incre ase in the number for arterial and venous disease. The general surgica l component of a general surgical unit with a vascular interest is gra dually declining, as increased numbers of patients with vascular probl ems are being referred and managed.