Eligibility to Stand for Election

A candidate wishing to stand for election as one of the ten elected surgical trainees on the Committee must satisfy the following criteria:

1. A UK-based Surgical Member of the RCSEd in good standing
2. A holder of MRCS or FRCS (FRCS must have been gained within the last two years and the candidate must still hold a trainee number at the time of election)
3. A surgical trainee at CT/ST level (in NHS training or a research or academic post)

Candidates must have a proposer and seconder who also meet the above criteria.

It is a pre-requisite of standing for election that a nominee has permission from their Training Programme Director and/or employer. Supporting documentation from their Training Director granting permission and any leave required to fulfil the commitments of the role must be supplied.

Nomination Process

Individuals matching the criteria above and wishing to seek nomination for this elected role must submit the following documentation, by no later than 09:00 on Monday 23 February 2026 to committeeadministrator@rcsed.ac.uk.

1. A candidate information form including a 200-word personal statement and details of a proposer and seconder
2. A two-page CV
3. A letter of support from their Training Director

Please note than any nominations submitted beyond the stipulated closing date will not be accepted.

Election Process and Timetable

If valid nominees exceed the number of vacancies, an election will be held, and all nominees will be informed.

If an election is required, an online ballot will be conducted. Ballot papers for the election will be sent via email at the beginning of March 2026. The election shall be conducted using the Single Transferable Vote system in accordance with the Laws of the College. Four weeks will be allowed for voting with the ballot closing at the end of March 2026.

If the number of eligible candidates is equal to the number of vacancies, the candidates shall be deemed to have been elected without the need for a ballot.

Term of Office

An elected Committee member’s initial term of office will be for a period of two years and thereafter, they are eligible for re-election for a further one-year term. Current members of the Trainees’ Committee coming to the end of their first two-year term are eligible, through this process, to apply to be re-elected for the one-year extension of Committee membership.

Should an elected member gain an appointment to a Consultant position within their term, their membership of the Committee will cease at the next point of the election cycle.

Time Commitment

Membership of the Trainees’ Committee involves attendance at meetings of the Committee (held approximately four - five times per annum, either online or in the Edinburgh College or Birmingham office), as well as support for other College activities such as attendance at external meetings/events.

The time commitment for membership of the Trainees’ Committee is approximately twelve to fifteen days per year, depending on College and external activities.

The College will reimburse Committee members for reasonable travel, subsistence and accommodation costs for attendance at meetings and College events, in line with the College’s policies.

Activities

The RCSEd Trainees’ Committee was established in August 2012. Since its creation, the Committee has become the main platform for ensuring that the views of trainees are considered in all aspects of the College’s activities.

Its activity to date includes, but is not limited to:

• Delivering the opinions and priorities of the College trainee membership directly to RCSEd Council, through its elected representative
• Working externally as RCSEd representatives with bodies such as the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association, the Association of Surgeons in Training, as well as many other organisations
• Liaising with the RCSEd policy and public affairs team, providing trainee perspective on political consultations and interactions
• Directing and leading strategic project work in the College, most notably the Bullying and Undermining Campaign
• Participating in numerous short life working groups on topics such as Sustainability, Anti-bullying and Undermining, Education and more
• Taking forward specific initiatives on behalf of trainees, for example negotiating with HMRC for tax relief for mandatory trainee fees
• Interacting with College Members, Fellows, Affiliates and students at outreach events in various regions
• Joining faculty for College competitions and courses, such as the Student Surgical Skills Competition
• Contributing to the Affiliate Fellowship Programme

For further information please contact committeeadministrator@rcsed.ac.uk.