A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:
Staying ahead
of the times
New technology and forward thinking combine to enable the College to keep setting the highest standards, says Roger Currie
Welcome to the March edition of Surgeons’ News. The broad-based theme of this issue is that of robotic surgery, but it is also an edition of hellos and goodbyes.
Firstly, robotics. The College has been active in the field of robot-assisted surgery, providing education in the form of specialty-specific webinars and training with the Intuitive da Vinci platform for many years. The Robotics Task Force driving these innovations is now chaired by Chelliah Selvasekar. In this issue we have a very thoughtful overview from the President and insight into the provision and training for robotic surgery here in NHS Scotland.
The President also highlights the publication of the College Code of Conduct, which is a helpful document produced to guide Fellows and Members through the increasingly challenging maze of ethical, behavioural and probity issues we all face in our day-to-day practice.
This edition also marks the 20th anniversary of NOTSS and celebrates the work of Professor Rhona Flin. NOTSS has now been refreshed and relaunched for the next generation of both trainees and consultants, who will benefit from a message that was way ahead of its time when it was created 20 years ago.
The Surgical Skills Competition goes from strength to strength under the wise guidance of Professor Angus Watson. This year 43 finalists will be coming to Edinburgh and I personally look forward to returning as a judge on 16 March.
Representation matters and this is highlighted in the historical article by Louise Wilkie – and in a more contemporaneous manner by Vice-President Clare McNaught with the refresh of #LetsRemoveIt, with the additional focus on sexual harassment in the workplace and calling out such behaviours. This was an incredibly significant and groundbreaking campaign when the College launched it in 2017. Indeed, its importance has been recognised with the award of an MBE for Alice Hartley, who was instrumental in the initiative’s success.
As for goodbyes, this issue marks the final contributions from two good friends, Eric Dierks and Anne Shearer. Both have been regular and supportive contributors during my tenure as Editor and I thank them for their contributions to Surgeons’ News over the last three years.
This is also my final edition as solo Editor, as the next edition will be a joint venture as the editorship transitions to Emma Stapleton after the June edition. I wish Emma well in her new role.
Roger Currie
We have the technology
The growth of robot-assisted surgery means improved patient outcomes, finds Campbell Roxburgh
President
writes
The College’s Robotics Taskforce leads the way as we work with new technologies
Surgical safety update
Cases from the Confidential Reporting System for Surgery (CORESS)
Still far from gender parity
Clare McNaught asks why women are reluctant to embark on a surgical career
NOTSS
Celebration also honours the seminal work of Rhona Flin
Life-changing
experience
Balamurugan Ganesan and Parth Gada reflect
on events a year after attending their first
International Conference in Chennai
Service above
and beyond
Awards recognise the outstanding achievements
of two very different FPHC Members
Surgical Skills Competition
Orthopaedic skills station introduced for first time in a growing event
Representation matters
Curator Louise Wilkie explores the portrayal of women in the College’s art collections
Setting high standards
Compassionate engagement is at the heart of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework
Principles of
critical care
The RAPID course offers a safe and straightforward approach to the management of patients
Education for all
The College continues to lead the way in supporting SAS/LED surgeons
SAS focus
Catherine Diver examines the results of the recent SAS and LED survey
Ten-year milestone
Surgical skills symposium continues to raise the bar for exposure to surgery
Pioneering surgery
Matt Harris and Emma Howie look at current
challenges in robotic training and aims for the future
DENTAL FOCUS
Grant McIntyre discusses global education and training; UK and Ireland Dental Ambassadors; and dental In Brief
In Brief: Dental
The latest guidance, articles and studies
Guiding hands
Our Ambassador network continues to grow
Self-development
Ian Corbett announces the launch of Diploma-level examinations in the Dental Faculty
Why learning never stops
Grant McIntyre discusses the
College’s response to the ongoing
shift in global dental education and training
COLLEGE CHRONICLES
Awards and grants, diploma ceremony listings and our RSA Network
Awards and grants
All the latest grants, Fellowships and bursaries that are available from the RCSEd
Diploma listings
Congratulations to all our Fellows and Members who were presented with diplomas and awards in Edinburgh in October and November
Regional ambassadors
The College’s support and advice network throughout the country
LIFESTYLE
Strength training is vital for all; 48 hours in Hong Kong; South African wines; and traditional skills of needlework and furniture making
48 hours in Hong Kong
Find arts, culture and Michelin-starred eateries in this epic Asian city
Weighty issue
Strength training has benefits for all, whatever your age, explains Susan Swarbrick
Taste of winter sun
A diverse and exciting wine region, South Africa has much to offer, find Carole Boyle and Richard Lane
Threads of ancient skills
The teaching of needlework and furniture making is as relevant today as in centuries past, explains Ann Shearer
A real eye-opener
Louise Wilkie highlights an exhibition of medicine’s oldest specialty
Editor Roger Currie
Dental Editor Carole Ann Boyle
Channels Planning Manager Aaron Mackie
Social and Content Officer Terri Borthwick
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