The Royal College of Surgeons of England
@RCSnews
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Future-proofing the surgical profession through diversity, sustainability and wellbeing.
Joined June 2009
The 2025 UK surgical workforce census is now open. It’s quick, confidential and vital for driving real change. Your input has already influenced government talks on shortages, wellbeing & training. Have your say before 23 June:
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With great sadness, we share the news that former RCS England President, Dame Clare Marx CBE, DL, MBBS, PRCS, has passed away. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Dame Clare:
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A response to Dr Peter Hilton – and all those who share his abhorrent views.
Literally 100s of women have shared their experiences. There are no doubt 100/ 1000s more who have not. If you wonder why women don't come forward about these issues- read this letter @thetimes . #metoosurgery
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This #MothersDay, we want to give a special shout-out to mums on the frontline of fighting #COVID19. Whether you are treating patients or caring for the vulnerable, thank you for everything you’re doing to keep us safe!
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We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of surgeon Dr Ahmed Almaqadma. Please read our statement:
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“Surgical care practitioners should not undertake laparoscopic cholecystectomies.” Our Council has expressed alarm about the potential safety risks to patients & impact on training of recently described practices. Read more here:
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We’re pleased to announce that @TMitchellFRCS has been elected as our next President. An ENT surgeon in Southampton, he will take office in July 2023 and lead during an exciting time of change; embracing #diversityinsurgery work, improving practice and leading our profession.
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Statement in response to @thetimes article ‘Sexual assault, crude banter — what it’s like to be a female surgeon’ ( . A THREAD 👇 .@mortensen_neil RCS England President said: . “The testimonies from Roshana Mehdian-Staffell and others are unacceptable….
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Congratulations to Professor Sir Neil Mortensen @mortensen_neil, RCS England Past President, who has been recognised in the King's New Year Honours for services to surgery and in recognition of his contribution during the pandemic.
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Pleased to announce that our new Vice President as voted for by our Council is Fiona Myint. Equally delighted to welcome Nuha Yassin @NuhaZsurgeon and Christopher Lavy @chris_lavy as newly elected Council members. Full results here:
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Warmest congratulations to Professor Dame Averil Mansfield who has received a damehood in the King's Birthday Honours. Our @womeninsurgery chair @nizbuzz reflects on Dame Averil's recognition here:
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Today Martyn Coomer hangs up his hat as our Head of Research, after more than 30 years of working at the College. He has helped more than 850 surgeons to thrive through our Research Fellowship Scheme and supported many with his mentorship. 🎉 Happy retirement Martyn! 🎉
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NHS waiting times statistics published today show the NHS hasn't met the legal 18-week target for hospital treatment for 5 years. @RCSnews is calling for investment on a scale last seen in the 2000s, to get back on track meeting NHS waiting time standards:
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We’re flying the rainbow flag today for our first LGBTQ+ conference Out at the College!
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‘You can’t be a surgeon and get pregnant’. ‘You can’t be a surgeon and have a family’. ‘You can’t be a surgeon and have a work-life balance’. YES YOU CAN says @DrFBE at #ASiT2021. It’s time to bust the myths around #WomenInSurgery @ASiTofficial.
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We’re delighted to announce that @mortensen_neil has been elected our next President, taking up post in July 2020. A colorectal surgeon from Oxford, he takes up the reins as we launch a new 5-year plan and move into our new London HQ. #reshuffle
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Congratulations to our member, Professor David Nott, one of the world’s most respected trauma surgeons, on receiving the Freedom of the City of London. His contributions to surgery and charitable work, including training and operating in disaster and war zones, inspire us all.
One of the most experienced and respected trauma surgeons in the world, Professor David Nott, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in surgery and charitable work. A full-time @NHSEngland consultant at St. Mary's
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We’re thrilled to have @LiangRhea with us today being given an honorary fellowship on #IWD2023 . “Surgery is the work of a team… and we need to embrace diversity within a team” Says Rhea, who says a careers advisor once told her she was too ‘empathetic’ to be a doctor.
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Congratulations to our past President, and first female President, Clare Marx, on being made a dame in the New Year's Honours List. #ILookLikeASurgeon.
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In 1954, Pamela Ball became the first woman from Jamaica to gain an FRCS. For #BlackHistoryMonth, our Plarr’s Lives of the Fellows remembers this remarkable surgeon, mathematician and viola player:
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“No matter how technically competent or senior you are, if you abuse your position as a surgeon, you will have no place in our College.” . Today we introduce our new Code of Conduct. A crucial step in our journey to eradicate sexual misconduct. ➡️
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What a day! Thank you to all our speakers and attendees worldwide for inspiring, informing, and challenging us and each other today. #WomeninSurgery
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The first ever RCS female president portrait unveiled Miss Clare Marx 2014 - 2017
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We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. She was an Honorary Fellow of RCS England and will be fondly remembered for her life of dedication to public service. We send our condolences to the Royal Family at this time.
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Say hello to the amazing women of RCS England… and @OrthopodReg @WomenSurgeonsUK #WomenInSurgery #LiftAsYouClimb #HeForShe #30YearsOfWinS
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The truth is, many #NHS staff are burnt out from working without a break this winter. If we don’t look after the welfare of our staff, there is a danger many will drop out of the NHS, warns our president Professor @mortensen_neil in a new blog:
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Exciting news! Our Council has voted in favour of all of the Kennedy Report's governance recommendations. All eligible fellows and members can now elect the President and Vice-President. Learn about our commitment to a more representative leadership at:
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‘I apologise on behalf of the profession, to everyone here, and out there, who has been affected by harassment in the workplace’. President @mortensen_neil says the College will not tolerate #bullying or #harrassment in surgery in his welcoming speech at #30YearsOfWinS
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Can we follow @RACSurgeons's example and drop Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms and use Dr? asks Professor @scarlettmcnally. In a new blog, she questions the uses of gendered titles and terms like ‘junior doctor’. Read now:
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On #WorldAnaesthesiaDay we want to celebrate all of our anaesthetist colleagues, who are a vital part of the #SurgicalCareTeam. Thank you for all you do to keep patients safe and well 👏 @RCoANews
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‘You are going to work with people who do not like you, it’s not your job to get them to like you, but you can get them to respect you for doing your job well,’ @Liz_ORiordan sharing some incredible tips and resources for overcoming life and workplace challenges. #30YearsofWinS
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A single operation can produce up to 250kg of CO2e. That’s why we’re taking action. This #EarthDay we have released our Sustainability in Surgery Strategy, outlining our plan to help #RestoreOurEarth. Because it’s not just our patients who need saving 🌍♻️
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Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Manchester incident. Thank you to our surgeons & NHS staff who are helping those in need.
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Lest we forget the horror and pain endured by men, women and children across the world who have experienced war. At the going down of the sun and in the morning.We will remember them. #LestWeForget #RemembranceSunday
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A special ceremony this afternoon as we award @mobelal3 for his dedication to returning to surgery after a spinal cord injury. Communication, compassion, patience and fostering hope are his top tips for diplomates. Congratulations all. 👏
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We stand in solidarity with our BAME members, supporters and friends – and specifically we welcome the @EHRC inquiry into the impact of coronavirus on ethnic minorities & anything that will help develop recommendations for action. #BlackLivesMatter.[1/2]
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We are appalled by the scenes of rioting, racism and religious hatred, with NHS staff also under threat. We stand in solidarity with our NHS colleagues no matter their background, and thank emergency workers who tirelessly keep our communities safe. More:
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We’d like to express a warm welcome to Professor Peter Hutchinson as he takes up his new role as Director of Clinical Research. He is joining at an exciting time for clinical research as demonstrated by the Commission on the Future of Surgery
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Happy #MothersDay to the women who show us you CAN be a surgeon and have a family. To those who lead from the front and lift up those behind them. Thank you to the Mums, mentors and mother-figures who have offered support and guidance to our members on their pathway to surgery.
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The neglect of professional titles when introducing #WomeninSurgery can undermine their authority. In our November Bulletin, Professor Claire Hopkins says that a consistent use of titles is crucial to foster equality. Read more here:
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The public overwhelmingly back the Daily Mirror's campaign to tighten rules on aesthetic procedures. Only Board Certified surgeons should carry out cosmetic surgery. @dhscgovuk must act before there are more deaths.
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@RoshanaMN @AoMRC @TheBMA @BMA_JuniorDocs @RCPhysicians We continue to support our members in their decision to strike, for their overall wellbeing, the sustainability of services, including training, and ultimately, for the benefit of patients. Read our previous statements:.👉👉
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The independent review into the diversity of our leadership by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC has opened our eyes to the scale of the challenge and allows us to tackle these issues head on.
Today @RCSnews publishes the findings of the independent review into the diversity of our leadership by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC. I am proud to confirm that we will commit to the vision developed, and put diversity at the heart of our strategy.
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Editor's Pick📢. Menstruation remains a taboo topic in operating theatres despite the growing number of female surgeons. In this #Bulletin article, we speak to surgeons who discuss the challenges they face & their advice for other female surgeons. More:
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Today @GoogleDoodles are celebrating Britain's first female surgeon, Dr. Louisa Aldrich-Blake who developed innovative surgical techniques, saved the lives of many soldiers during World War I and strived to help more women enter medicine; @WomenSurgeonsUK
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Today is #WorldAnaesthesiaDay and we want to recognise our wonderful anaesthetist friends, colleagues and faculty. Thank you for keeping patients safe, and helping us to teach the next generation of surgeons. @RCoANews
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Transgender and gender-diverse patients often face substantial healthcare disparities and barriers to care. Join our #RCSWebinar to hear @DrAllyCat and @KateNambiar discuss how surgeons and healthcare professionals can offer them a better care . Book now:
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If you're inspired by this video of Averil Mansfield, why not come and meet her? She'll be sharing her secrets to success at our Women in Surgery conference on Friday 19 October
Averil Mansfield became the first British woman to be appointed a professor of surgery in 1993.
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Wishing a blessed Eid al-Adha to all of our members, colleagues and friends celebrating. #EidMubarak
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🧵We have written to @the_mpts asking them to attend our Council to explain their handling of sexual misconduct cases. Our surgical community is concerned whether sufficient penalties are consistently being applied, especially where the GMC has pushed for a stronger sanction.
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Welcome to your newly elected Council members 🌟 Laura Hamilton, Nicola Fearnhead and Omer Karim will all begin their first term in the summer. We also welcome back Farah Bhatti and Peter Friend for their second terms on College Council. Congratulations!
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Wonderful to see the bright #FutureofSurgery in action today. Thank you to our Future Surgeons Forum members!
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Welcome to your newly elected Council members. 🎉. Congratulations to @yourkidssurgeon, Andrew Carr, @GinnyAB, @rammoorthyENT, Bryony Lovett and Peter Sagar who will begin their terms in July. Learn more about them and their priorities as Council members:
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📸We are thrilled to unveil the Faces of Surgery, an artwork created by @PeoplesPicture which celebrates our College's past, present and future. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed. To explore this artwork virtually, please visit:
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Its #NationalDoctorsDay and we are celebrating our doctors, surgeons, trainees and surgical care teams. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and passion, you are a true inspiration to aspiring doctors.
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'Resident doctors aiming for surgical careers are missing out on vital theatre experience'. At the @asitofficial conference, @TMitchellFRCS calls on the UK government to ensure their training review protects essential surgical training opportunities. 1/2
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NEW: Today's statement on the latest @PHE_uk #PPE guidance. We are calling on government to ensure that the depleted PPE supplies that remain, are used to maintain the most urgent and emergency services, Read in full: .@mortensen_neil
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Welcome to your newly elected Council members. Congratulations to @deboraheastwood, @MrTimLane, Clara Vella, @FranciscaFFerr and Professor Lynda Wyld, who will begin their terms this July - and Professor Frank Smith, Rachel Hargest and @IanLoftus2, who have been re-elected.🧵
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We were saddened to learn that Professor Sir Peter Morris AC FRS FRCS has passed away. He was President of @RCSnews from 2001–2004 and a pioneering organ transplant surgeon who saved countless lives. Read President @mortensen_neil's tribute:
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#RamadanMubarak! Sending solidarity, compassion and best wishes to everyone beginning #Ramadan today. Fasting at work can be difficult, particularly on long and stressful shifts, so remember to take care and regularly check in with yourself.
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It’s our second day of diplomates ceremonies today. What a wonderful day to be celebrating. Congratulations to @SWexner who has received an honorary fellowship. ‘We’re entrusted to solve problems… and what we practice is not just a science but an art’ Steven says.
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How can surgeons help transgender patients and colleagues feel welcome?. We welcome this #Bulletin article by @AlexAshman, R Folkers & @PhillipaBurns2 in which they offer useful information and advice to help surgeons be transgender inclusive:
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How to stop your glasses from fogging up while wearing a face mask? @SpOrthopod and @NasMAbdul teach a simple #lifehack for healthcare workers. For more helpful #COVID19 resources visit:
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Eid Mubarak to our Muslim colleagues and friends. Today marks the end of the month long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Wishing you all a blessed and joyous #EidAlFitr.
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Fantastic to see #GoogleDoodle celebrating Argentinian surgeon Dr. René Favaloro who introduced coronary artery bypass surgery into clinical practice;
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No matter your gender, if you dream of becoming a surgeon, we'll be there to support you every step of the way #InternationalDayOfTheGirl #ILookLikeASurgeon #WomenInSurgery
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Surgery is set to be transformed for millions of patients by a new wave of technologies according to the full report of the Commission on the #futureofsurgery published today:
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Happy #ODPDay to all Operating Department Practitioners! Thank you for the passion and skills you bring to the #SurgicalCareTeam every day @CollegeODP #ODP
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We must strive for a culture that takes a zero tolerance approach to workplace sexual harassment and assault of any kind. There is support and advice available if you need it. We stand with you. @beckybeckyfish @nizbuzz @OrthopodReg @VictoriaPegna @GeeMcLachlan @rebgross.
'Sexual assault damages careers and lives, and it shames our profession'. WinS Chair @nizbuzz and RCS President @mortensen_neil respond to recent accounts of sexual assault in surgery. Thank you to all those who have bravely shared their story.
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Why do talented surgeons leave the profession when becoming parents? As part of our flagship #ParentsInSurgery project, we have produced a report exploring the barriers to balancing parenthood and a surgical career. Join the conversation:
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“Whatever decision is made, we will continue to support our members, for their wellbeing, sustainability of services and ultimately, for the benefit of patients." . Read our joint statement on junior doctor #strikeaction:
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We are committed to empowering girls to achieve their dreams #InternationalDayOfTheGirl #ILookLikeASurgeon
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Actions speak louder than words. This is our commitment: #BlackLivesMatter #DiversityInSurgery #StrongerTogether
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Congratulations also to council member Prof Tim Briggs, awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours for services to surgery.
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Today we can announce that the distinguished barrister Baroness Helena Kennedy QC will lead an independent review of #diversity in our professional leadership. This is just the first step we are taking to improve #diversityinsurgery and at home:
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We welcomed our new Emerging Leaders to our HQ today for a full programme & to meet those entering their 2nd year 👏 .The programme supports women and non-binary people to find their #leadership style & voice: #ILookLikeASurgeon
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Today we launch our new #ParentsinSurgery report. Hear from our Vice President Fiona Myint about why this project is vital to cultivating a diverse and effective surgical workforce. Read the full report and join the conversation:
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The presidents of the four surgical Royal Colleges have welcomed the agreement to offer surgeons in training teaching and learning opportunities in the private sector. Read our full statement:
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@milye95 This is unacceptable behaviour. If you would like to follow up/know your options and would like to speak to someone in our #womeninsurgery programme please DM us. @DrFBE @scarlettmcnally @svig2 #ILookLikeASurgeon.
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Happy #InternationalWomensDay📷 from RCS England and the women on our Council. There are so many fantastic opportunities for women to contribute and lead College activities. We hope that you’ll join our work to inspire, empower and enable women via @WomenSurgeonsUK . #IWD2024
Join us in celebrating #InternationalWomensDay today by: . 🙋🏽♀️ Applying to one of our Forum vacancies - 💻 Joining our webinar, this evening at 6.30pm - ❓ Heading over to RCS England Instagram for our Ask Me Anything. #IWD2024
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We are delighted that @RCSnews Past President, Professor Derek Alderson, has been made a CBE in the King's Birthday Honours. Current President @mortensen_neil extends his congratulations here:
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Eid Mubarak to all of our members, fellows, followers and friends who are celebrating ✨ #Eidmubarak
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We value colleagues who have moved from other countries to work here. Thank you for all you do in the NHS. We will continue to support you.
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Thank you to @captaintommoore, who not only raised money for NHS charities, but also inspired us to help others. Our thoughts go out to your family 🎖️💙.
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We held a #robotics meeting today bringing together some great minds to discuss the present and future of robotic assisted surgery in the UK. Exciting plans being developed - stay tuned!.#MedEd #futureofsurgery #careersinsurgery
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Delighted to hear from @drfarahroslan this evening. Farah is discussing dress codes in theatre, including Hijabs, and why they shouldn’t be a barrier to #CareersInSurgery 🧕🏽 #InternationalWomensDay #BreakTheBias
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It is shocking and unacceptable that anyone should have to deal with racist comments in the workplace or suffer any kind of verbal abuse and yet @itvnews has reported that racist abuse against #NHS staff has tripled. Our support goes out to Mr Radhakrishna Shanbhag.
@emilymorganitv "The patient says, 'Can I have a white doctor do the operation?'" . A senior surgeon, who has worked in the NHS for more than 20 years, told @emilymorganitv he 'begins to question his self-worth' after hearing racist comments.
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Congratulations to our 2018/2019 cohort of Lady Estelle Wolfson Emerging Leaders who have successfully completed their tenure. The Fellowship aims to inspire more women to apply for senior and leadership roles in surgery. Good luck to you all in your next venture. @DrFBE
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We have launched an independent Commission on the Future of Surgery to look at innovations like robot-assisted surgery, AI, genetics, 3D printing & more. If you're an expert, researcher, innovator or future gazer, we want to hear from you. #FutureOfSurgery
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The accounts of sexual harassment and abuse in this @thetimes article are sickening. Thank you to the women who spoke out. While the perpetrator is not a member, we are clear - anyone who commits sexual misconduct has no place in our College. [1/2].
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Eid Mubarak to all of our members, fellows, followers and friends who are celebrating ✨ #Eidmubarak #EidAlAdha
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We have today launched a special edition of the Bulletin, written by trainees, for trainees! Big thanks to our trainee editor @_JoshBurke_ & support from @ASiTofficial & @bota_uk Let us know what you think using #WithYouThroughout
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Happy #MothersDay to all the mums and mother-figures in surgery. We want you to be able to achieve all of your ambitions at work AND put the needs of you and your family first. Read about our #parentsinsurgery work: #ILookLikeaSurgeon #WomeninSurgery
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Today, @mortensen_neil told UK Parliament’s @CommonsHealth we need surgical hubs in every part of the country to tackle record waits for operations. Thanks to @sasbanerjee @svig2 for sharing examples of excellent surgical teamwork
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