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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be worried that dd's op will be carried out by a locum consultant

22 replies

MilaMae · 08/08/2011 16:21

She's only 6 and I'm having the inevitable collywobbles as it gets nearer.

To be frank I don't know what a locum is other than a temporary contract?Will he be as good as a normal consultant?

Any medical types feel free to come and put me straight.If it makes me feel less terrified I'll be forever grateful.

TIA

OP posts:

IslaValargeone · 08/08/2011 16:24

He's still a consultant, he's just replacing someone who may be on holiday for example, it doesn't mean he's any less qualified.
Don't worry, it'll be fine.

MissPenteuth · 08/08/2011 16:24

YANBU to be feeling wobbly, I'm sure any parent would feel the same. But a locum should have the same qualifications and experience as a person in a permanent post.

worraliberty · 08/08/2011 16:25

They're just temp staff

Just as qualified as the people they are covering so don't worry

Original poster

MilaMae · 08/08/2011 17:00

Do you think they're as experienced/up to date?

OP posts:

Punkatheart · 08/08/2011 17:02

They are just as qualified of course but it is important to be empowered by knowledge. Find the name and check them out. How serious is the op?

ZillionChocolate · 08/08/2011 17:05

Doctors have to be up to date, locum or permanent.

AnotherJaffaCake · 08/08/2011 17:06

My second c-section was carried out by a locum. He did a good job. We're all still here!

kittensliveupstairs · 08/08/2011 17:06

If you hadn't been told, you wouldn't necessarily know would you? Locums do have to stay up to date, they are like agency staff but with more responsibility than a bit of filing.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 08/08/2011 17:07

Follow Punk's advice.

Presumably you will have the opportunity to meet the surgeon before the op?

Xales · 08/08/2011 17:12

Sometimes it is good to have a locum as they may look at things slightly different from a GP etc who has known the patient for years.

My grandfather was on medication for a stomach ulcer for years (about 15 I think). He went in for a repeat prescription, saw a locum, was checked and ended up having half his stomach removed due to cancer in a very quick time!

If it had just been his regular GP then he may have carried on for longer without knowing the real problem.

EssentialFattyAcid · 08/08/2011 17:15

I think it would be sensible to ask whether the surgeon has performed this op before and if so how many times in the last 12 month period. What has the success rate been? This question would be relvant to ask locum or permanent surgeons.

Original poster

MilaMae · 08/08/2011 17:16

I can't go into too much detail as will be easily identified.

It's not risky to her health but plastic surgery on her face.I'm terrified she'll hate me forever(when she's a teenager) if it goes wrong.It has to be done.

I'm getting very at the thought of anybody cutting into her face and terrified.She's absolutely beautiful and I want her to stay that way(and look the same).

She's had MRI scans so he's been very thorough.He seems lovely and has little girls himself but I'm still scared.

Feel I should be doing more to protect her.Don't want to kick myself forever iykwim.

OP posts:

EssentialFattyAcid · 08/08/2011 17:22

Do your research. This is all you can reasonably do, surely?

duchesse · 08/08/2011 17:24

Of course you are worried, but a locum is a fully qualified doctor, not a trainee. Hope the op goes well.

Original poster

MilaMae · 08/08/2011 17:27

I've googled but can't find anything .

OP posts:

EssentialFattyAcid · 08/08/2011 17:29

You need to ask specific questions to the surgeon about his/her experience of this particular op which won't be available via google

Happylander · 08/08/2011 17:40

If you are worried you need to ask for his General Medical Council (GMC) number and then go onto GMC website and there will be a section under checking Dr's registration or something like that. Click on that and then put his number in. It will say if he is current and also whether he has any restrictions placed against him. The GMC website should also give you his specialised area. If you have trouble finding the right thing on the website call the GMC with his name and they may be able to help you.

He is a Consultant though so he has done his time as an SHO and Reg before getting that position. He will have passed lots of exams and would have to work as a consultant in another hospital to be working as a locum now.

Original poster

MilaMae · 08/08/2011 17:44

Highlander thats really helpful.Maybe being a locum is good as he's actually doing it,when ds had his tonsils out he didn't have the consultant but a reg I think it must have been.

I hate hospital stuff re the kids as I know absolutely zilch how it all works.

OP posts:

happygilmore · 08/08/2011 17:52

Def talk to the surgeon first. ASK how many times they do this op in 12 months (as someone else advised) and any complications.

a different situation, but I have just had surgery and had to do the same - it was a rare operation and I wanted to be sure the surgeon had adequate experience as it is done so infrequently. They should be happy to answer any questions like that, and in any case you have to sign for informed consent, you can't do that unless you have had everything properly explained to you.

I hope your DD is OK.

Original poster

MilaMae · 08/08/2011 18:16

She should be fine.If all goes well she won't even have much of a scar and I don't think most would even notice she'd had it done.It's the if though.

Many thanks for the advice,it's helpful.

OP posts:

freelancescientist · 08/08/2011 18:44

Sometimes a locum consultant is actually going to become a full consultant in that post - in our trust new consultant posts are always locum posts for 6months-1 year. They may be a newly promoted consultant, or they may have been a consultant elsewhere and moved to a new job.

chocolatehobnobs · 08/08/2011 19:00

As a surgeon I can reassure that most locum consultants are good. I would be reassured that you feel that your consultant is 'lovely' and has been thorough as good communication is important. You should check the gmc website to see if there are any restrictions on their practice and you could also see if they are a member of BAPS (british association of plastic surgeons). I would ask how many of this procedure they had done, how many they do per year and what their complication rates are. Ideally patients should be given the opportunity to sign the consent forM in the outpatient clinic so that you can specifically find out about their complication rates. You could also ask to see before and after shots of other patients (anonymised of course) who have had the same operation if it is something common. My old boss had a portfolio of work to show patients.

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