Surgeons should undergo professional review every five years and consutants'independent practitioner status should be revised, according to recommendations made last week by the Senate of Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland.

The recommendations came in response to the General Medical Council's determination on the abnormally high death rate among babies undergoing heart surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary between 1988 and 1995 (27 June, p 1924). The senate–which represents the surgical royal colleges of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland–has suggested sweeping changes within the profession to restore public confidence but has emphasised that self regulation is the key to improving standards without further …