RCSEd Supporting Surgeons Throughout Your Career

RCSEd Surgical Safety Summit - "Operating as One for Safer Healthcare"

29 April 2027 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

The Patient Safety Committee of the RCSEd invite you to the inaugural College Surgical Safety Summit which will take place at our historic campus in the heart of the vibrant city of Edinburgh. This exciting summit will bring people, practice and purposes together through education and innovation to deliver safer patient centred care.

Plastering Techniques for Fracture Treatment

20 November 2026 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

This practical one-day course is aimed at trainees with an interest in Orthopaedics or Accident & Emergency Medicine. This course is specifically targeted to FY1, FY2, CT1, CT2 and SpR1 levels. Medical students and allied professionals welcome. Participants will be taught and advised by experienced Orthopaedic clinicians and Plaster Technicians. Feedback will be provided for each participant through one to one teaching and tutoring. After the course you will have learned the fundamental principles of plaster application and know what pitfalls to avoid to prevent complications of non-operative fracture care with plaster immobilisation. You will be able to apply and mould a below-elbow plaster and apply and mould a plaster for ankle fractures.

Core Skills in Orthopaedic Surgery

15 December 2026 | Edinburgh

This course aims to help participants develop competence in procedures commonly carried out by junior orthopaedic trainees in the Emergency Department, outpatients and the operating theatre. Delegates attending this course will receive a kindle copy of McRae's Orthopaedic Trauma book prior to attending the course.

Interview Skills for Core Surgical Training

30 October 2026 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

This one-day course is designed to prepare foundation trainees and medical students considering a career in surgery for core surgical training interviews. With fierce competition for core surgical training places, participants can benefit from extra insight into the interview process. They will also have the opportunity to practice their interview skills with feedback on performance from senior surgeons.

Teams Based Quality Review for Clinical Practice (TBQR)

23 September 2026 | Edinburgh | 9 CPD Points

TBQR provides a structured approach to team learning, building on existing review processes. This one-day course equips healthcare professionals with practical tools to implement TBQR, analyse events, and drive meaningful improvement. Designed for those involved in safety reviews or service improvement, it also strengthens understanding of Human Factors and Systems Thinking, supporting better team performance, wellbeing, and resilience.

Recognition And Prevention of Injury and Deterioration (RAPID)

25 September 2026 | Edinburgh | 12 CPD Points

RCSEd's newly launched RAPID course and methodology aims to outline a safe and straight-forward approach to the management of all types of surgical patients through the simulation of a multi-disciplinary ward round.  This course provides an approach which can be used in partnership with a candidate’s existing expertise to provide a high level of care which should aid the recognition of complications and the provision of high-quality patient care.

COSMOS (Consultation Skills that Matter for Surgeons) – Module A

Various dates/locations | 6 CPD Points

This 1st module in a series of 4 covers “Opening and Closing”, “Shared Decision Making with Patients” and “Communication of Risk". The pre-course materials include a video on communication of risk and some pre-course reading. On the day there will be discussion of these, teaching on Shared Decision Making (including the “3 talk model”) and practice in simulation with small group debrief.

RCSEd Cadaveric Intermediate Open Abdominal Surgery Course

13 October 2026 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

This course will provide comprehensive and condensed learning experience to compensate for the progressive reduction in the time spent by trainees in theatre as well as the decrease in the numbers of open procedures in general surgery.

Laparoscopic Skills in Emergency Surgery

23 November 2026 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

This one-day course will cover hands-on simulation looking at judgement and laparoscopic skills in relation to general surgical emergencies. It is an introduction to laparoscopic operating in emergency general surgery and involves a close look at decision-making in difficult clinical scenarios. This includes the extra operative skills, and techniques which are sometimes necessary to deal with unusual or technically difficult situations.

The course is a joint collaboration between the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI).

RCSEd Bariatric Surgery Course

30 October 2026 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

This is a one-day course involving interactive lectures on bariatric surgery, pathways to surgery, choice of procedure, complications of surgery and long-term outcomes. There will be practical sessions on both gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Addressing Conflict in Surgical Teams (ACT) Course

16 November 2026 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

On this one day course, delegates will explore the causes of conflict within the surgical workplace and learn about different strategies to address this. This will include how to have difficult conversations, the art of negotiation and how to approach a challenging situation.

True Cut: How to Flourish as a Surgeon after Adverse Events

26 February 2027 | Edinburgh | 6 CPD Points

Making mistakes is an inescapable part of being a surgeon, yet research shows that many surgeons feel ill-prepared for this reality and struggle with the deep personal impact that errors can have. Feelings of isolation and lack of support are common, and even conversations with colleagues can sometimes intensify rather than relieve distress.

Despite the centrality of this issue to our profession, it is rarely discussed openly. Many surgeons suffer in silence—leading to burnout, dropout, or reliance on unhelpful coping strategies.

The True Cut workshop offers a safe and supportive space for honest reflection and practical learning. It explores how we can build better coping strategies in ourselves and our colleagues, how we can respond compassionately to patients and families, and how we can support one another in the aftermath of an error. The workshop is designed to be equally relevant for experienced surgeons and those in training.

Foundations in Surgical Leadership (FSL)

10 November 2026 | Online

Is there a gap in your surgical leadership skills? Do you need to demonstrate leadership capabilities to CCT? The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh offers a comprehensive and structured approach to developing surgical leadership skills. Our "Personal and Relational Leadership," module addresses individual growth and team dynamics, which are essential in surgical settings. Including a live virtual session and a Learning Log with recorded lectures and activities provides flexibility for participants to engage with the material at their own pace while still having opportunities for interactive learning and bespoke feedback. Our convenors Lisa Hadfield-Law and Humphrey Scott, bring credibility and expertise to the programme. Aligning FSL with the GMC Generic Professional Capabilities Framework, CCT requirements and the College's vision for inclusivity and innovation demonstrates a commitment to staying current with professional standards and adapting to the evolving needs of the surgical community.