A focus on getting fundamental skills right is one of many factors behind the continuing success of the Basic Surgical Skills course

In August, the Basic Surgical Skills course launched version 5 of its intercollegiate curriculum, and earlier in the summer the course was held for the second time in East Jerusalem, attracting both trainees and consultants from the surrounding area. It has run, or continues to run, in countries across Europe, the Far East and India, with 336 participants completing the course last year.

Mark Baillie speaks to David Sinclair, Pro-Dean of Medicine at the University of St Andrews, about his passion for teaching and recent appointment as RCSEd’s Professor of Anatomy

Speaking to David Sinclair less than one year into his role as Professor of Anatomy at the RCSEd, one gets an impression that he is a natural fit for the position and that he knows instinctively how to progress its learning programme: “There was a need to assess the requirements of the full College membership in relation to anatomy. We have established a Surgical Anatomy Steering Group and we’ve used the early stages to speak to different groups about their needs,” says Professor Sinclair. The steering group includes Mr Ian Currie, transplant surgeon in Edinburgh, who was recently appointed Monro Prosector of Anatomy at the RCSEd, and Skills Laboratory Manager Dr Sarah Sholl.

The College has published its largest ever biennial Research Report, a collection of summaries and reports outlining work carried out by recipients of the RCSEd’s awards and grants

The outstanding level of applications received each year by the College is evident in the range and high quality of work contained in the most recent Research Report, published in November.

One of the College’s primary aims is to expand and develop surgical knowledge, and to advance patient safety and care, and it is evident from the summaries of research contained in the Report that the recipients of these awards have indeed made significant gains in furthering this aim. As Chairman of the College’s Research Allocation Committee, Professor Kenneth Fearon explains:

As part of RCSEd’s commitment to surgical advancement and training, the College recently hosted educational events in Cardiff and Liverpool

 Third RCSEd All Wales Medical Student Surgical Research Symposium

On 12 October, Cardiff and Swansea medical students gathered for another hugely successful Student Surgical Research Symposium in Cowbridge. The event was attended by over 130 medical students, faculty and guests from RCSEd, Cardiff and Swansea medical schools, Welsh government bodies and sponsors.