Description
In this VTT, Timothy Wilton begins a discussion session, inviting audience members to approach the microphones to ask questions. Bertie Lee, a lay member of the council, commends the presentations and discusses the ongoing decline in orthopedics, expressing concern over the lack of actionable plans to reverse trends reflected in the statistics. He emphasizes the need for orthopedic surgeons to act as advocates for their patients, criticizing their current advocacy efforts compared to other medical specialties. Lee argues that musculoskeletal diseases and their complexities are not well understood, leading to insufficient prioritization in healthcare planning. Despite acknowledging efforts by the British Orthopedic Association (BOA) to respond to health committee concerns, Lee insists on the necessity for advocacy that effectively influences government actions. Gavin McLean shares insights from his experience in Belfast, highlighting challenges in staffing and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopedic services, further illustrating the need for effective advocacy in the healthcare system. The session ends with a transition to Mike Reed, who introduces a discussion on infection, linking the prior points made about patient care and advocacy to the congress theme.
DOI: 10.1302/3114-221441