Annual Report

Welcome for the president

As we reflect on the events of 2022, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. It has truly been the year of the return, as we witnessed the resurgence of in-person interactions and the revival of our College campus

The year began with the development of a comprehensive strategy that outlined our vision for the next few years. I am particularly proud of the new set of values crafted by our team that has become the foundation of our work culture.

In April we visited my own home city of Belfast for a Regional Forum to extend our support to Members and Fellows, particularly amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. Following that, in collaboration with Sir Michael McBride, the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, we co-hosted with our other sister surgical colleges a further event in August. This was held to discuss transformational change in the provision of surgical services and the ways in which the College could help support this, together with healthcare workers and politicians within the infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

In May we organised our Triennial Conference, focusing on ‘Making it Better’ for surgeons and the extended surgical team throughout their career journeys. The conference was a resounding success, drawing a large attendance and generating a remarkable buzz.

Aligned with this was a diploma ceremony and satellite activities for medical students and future trainee surgeons. We were also able to sign up over 150 trainee Members as a result of these events, emphasising the importance of education in medicine.

The Triennial meeting was combined with the International Conference on Surgical Education Training (ICOSET) for which delegates from around the world gathered in Edinburgh to hear from leading individuals with an interest in surgical education and training.

Throughout the year it was clear our international endeavours were not overlooked, as we also had the opportunity to host and collaborate with many international partners, including HRH Tuanku Muhriz, Ruler of the Malaysian State of Negeri Sembilan, who supports our international travelling Fellowship. His Royal Highness met with my predecessor, Professor Michael Griffin, Council Member Professor Angus Watson and College Fellow Andy Kent to discuss some of the challenging circumstances that surgeons had been working under in Malaysia as part of the Tuanku Muhriz Fellowships, which provide funding for healthcare workers to travel to Malaysia and gain further experience and training in rural surgery.

Summer also proved to be a truly historic moment in the history of our College, as the 66-year patronage by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, came to an end in June. The announcement of Prince Charles, now King, as our future patron marked a significant transition, signifying the beginning of a new era.

This momentous occasion aligned with a project that we initially undertook to honour the service of Prince Philip. However, it soon evolved into something more profound—a memorial that would pay tribute to the immense impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers, patients and the NHS. Crafted by sculptor and lecturer Kenny Hunter, this depicts four life-sized sculptures of healthcare workers together in scrubs as they experience a moment of reflection at the end of a shift after working with COVID-19 patients. This artwork will now proudly lie permanently within our College grounds in Edinburgh.

It was incredibly special that King Charles III, as the newly appointed Patron of the College, was able to unveil the statues. Not only did he generously devote his time engaging with our Members and Fellows, he also spent time connecting with our dedicated staff. As we move forward with King Charles III as our royal Patron, we carry with us the honour and privilege of this moment.

We host many meetings throughout the year, but we were particularly pleased to welcome and run the outstanding 2nd International Conference on Golf and Health. The July event brought together experts from various sports organisations to discuss recovery and resilience. This aligned with a spectacular year of golf in Scotland with the 150th Open and five other world ranking championships on our doorstep.

In October, we held our first international Conference, a key opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the College and its international membership. The conference was well recieved, with new connections forged and ideas and insights shared. Aligned with this was a diploma ceremony and satellite activities for medical students and future trainee surgeons. We were also able to sign up over 150 trainee members as a result of these events, emphasising the importance of education in medicine.

Throughout the year, our Faculties have made significant contributions to their respective fields and continue to drive forward innovation in education, assessment, and support of Fellows and Members.

As we look back on this ambitious year, let us acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our Faculties and the countless individuals who have contributed to our collective success. Together we have overcome challenges and forged a path towards a brighter future.

Thank you all for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared mission. I am confident that the coming years will bring even greater achievements and collaborations as we continue to make a difference in the world of surgery.

Rowan Parks, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh