An initiative to improve culture and wellbeing across vascular surgery.

Recent surveys by the VSGBI have revealed worrying levels of burnout, bullying, harassment and undermining, all of which, of course, adversely affect the wellbeing of the workforce.

Behind these numbers are real people, consultuants, nurses, vascular scientists and trainees and other clinicians, doing demanding work in high-pressure environments, often at great personal cost.

The Rising Tide Project was created in response to this. Developed and led by me, Lizzie Paish, in partnership with the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland (VSGBI), the project aims to raise awareness of the issues, raise self-awareness of individuals' contribution (both positive and negative), share good practice, and inspire positive cultural change across the vascular community.

What the project involves

• Recorded audio conversations with professionals across the vascular workforce, sharing honest reflections on what supports wellbeing and teamwork — and what gets in the way.
• Teaching and resources to help individuals explore how they can have greater influence over the culture in their own teams, whatever their role. Developing a greater understanding of how we ourselves create culture through our own beliefs, habits, behaviours and reactions, and how to gain more compassionate perspectives. 
• Opportunities for reflection and dialogue across the community — fostering understanding, compassion, and a collective sense of responsibility for shaping a healthier, more supportive workplace.

Why it matters

The culture of a team directly impacts patient care, staff recruitment and retention, and the wellbeing of everyone involved.
By learning from each other and recognising the significant part everyone can play, we can start to turn the tide on burnout and disconnection, and build a future for vascular surgery that’s not only clinically excellent, but also compassionate, inclusive and sustainable.

Join the Rising Tide

If you are involved in vascular surgery, please GET INVOLVED:

Please LISTEN to the recordings - REFLECT on what you can do within your own team - SHARE the link with others.

You will shortly be able to download the booklet: Creating Culture from Within - Your Role in Creating Positive Change in Surgery - COMING SOON

If you work in a different area of medicine or surgery, and would like to explore launching a similar project of your own, or learning some of the principles involved, please get in touch.

If you would like to be involved in the project, either being recorded speaking about your experience of the culture in vascular surgery, or contributing in another way, please contact me via the contact page or at lizzie@lizziepaish.com

The new generation of consultants want a different, more inclusive and collaborative culture, for their own wellbeing, and that of others. 

This project is about helping you to create that. 

Either you get carried along by the current of the existing culture, worrying that at some point further on you'll be washed up, exhausted somewhere you never chose to be.

Or you proactively take ownership of your own mental wellbeing and the culture you work in, and learn to steer your own course to a sustainable and fulfilling life.

Be part of a positive movement for change

Culture is not fixed. It is being created, moment by moment, as you and your colleagues go about your daily work.

The Rising Tide Project encourages you to be conscious of your role in creating this culture and proactively shape your future career and that of others for the better.