The 2025 RCSEd SAS and LED Surgeons’ and Dentists’ Conference brought our community together once again at the new Regional Centre in Birmingham, and it was a genuine privilege to be part of a day that reaffirmed just how integral SAS and LED clinicians are to the functioning, resilience and future of surgical and dental services across the UK. This was particularly resonant coming so soon after the SAS Week earlier in October, which had already highlighted and celebrated the remarkable contributions of SAS doctors nationwide. The commitment of the SASL Committee, College staff and faculty ensured an excellent and impactful meeting, and the atmosphere throughout the day reflected a shared sense of momentum and pride in the collective work of this vital - and too often underappreciated - portion of the NHS workforce.
The morning opened with warm introductions from SASL Committee Chair Mr Majid Mukadam and committee member Mr Lasitha Samarakoon, followed by opening remarks from Vice-President Professor Tim Graham, whose steadfast support for the SAS and LED community over the years has been clear for all to see. To show their thanks, the Committee took the opportunity at the opening of this meeting to formally recognise Professor Graham’s contributions - an appreciation wholeheartedly echoed by the delegates.
The first session focused on the portfolio pathway, consistently one of the most relevant and valued topics for SAS and LED colleagues. Ms Esther McLarty offered a clear and constructive JCST perspective, setting out the expectations and ongoing developments around the new pathway that replaces the old CESR route. This was followed by Professor Jon Lund’s insightful discussion of the challenges faced both by candidates and assessors. Their combined expertise created a session that provided delegates with clarity on a subject that can oftentimes feel opaque, and which can generate understandable apprehension in those pursuing this route onto the speciality register.
Attention then turned to the Specialist Grade and the role of SAS and LED clinicians as Surgical examiners. Professor Madapura Shashidhara shared strategies to increase specialist grade appointments, drawing on his wealth of experience as SAS Development Lead in the North West, whilst Professor John Hines provided an update on surgical examinations and provided clarity on opportunities to contribute as a College examiner. It was particularly encouraging to hear the changes that have been made to allow experienced, non-consultant grade surgeons to examine on MRCS examinations.
Patient safety then took centre stage, with Professor Peter Brennan OBE delivering a keynote talk that provided the audience with his always compelling perspective on safety in surgical practice. Professor Grant McIntyre and Ms Manjula Das followed with a thoughtful discussion of safety through education in dental and OMFS care. The session reinforced the shared belief that as core and often permanent members of the teams, SAS and LED clinicians can play a vital role in shaping safer systems within their departments.
After a delicious lunch and a brief session from Wesleyan on financial and pension planning, delegates divided across three workshop streams, each designed to offer practical, hands-on guidance. The portfolio pathway workshop, led by Mr Renol Koshy, Ms Suzie Wong and Mr Samavedam Murali, was, as ever, hugely popular, reflecting the clear appetite for accessible, structured support on collecting and presenting evidence. This workshop benefitted from vital contributions from Council member Mr Alistair Mountain. The second workshop explored the role of SAS and LED clinicians as medical educators and examiners, with Professor Kartik Iyengar, Mr Samarakoon, Mr Mukadam and Professor Graham outlining the benefits and processes involved in joining the Faculty of Surgical Trainers, the Faculty of Dental Trainers, the College’s examiner cohort and national selection interview panels. The third workshop, focused on enhancing safety through Team-Based Quality Reviews (TBQR), was delivered by Mr Manoj Kumar, Mr Nishan Fernando, Ms Catherine Diver and Ms Helen Vosper. This introductory session to safety science generated considerable interest and, I suspect, whet many appetites to pursue more in-depth TBQR training in the future.
Throughout the day, the sense of community was palpable. Delegates appreciated the opportunity to meet colleagues from across the UK, speak directly with RCSEd leadership, and share the realities and aspirations of SAS and LED practice. Many attendees mentioned the excellent facilities and catering at the new Birmingham venue, as well as the smooth organisation of the day - a testament to the hard work of the SAS & LED Committee and the Birmingham Office team who ensured the event ran seamlessly.
As ever, none of this would have been possible without our faculty, who generously gave their time and expertise, and without the SAS and LED surgeons and dentists who travelled to Birmingham to invest in their own development and to strengthen our community. The SAS and LED workforce continues to be the backbone of surgical and dental services, and the enthusiasm, ambition and professionalism displayed at this year’s conference offered a powerful reminder of the value they bring to the NHS every day.
As this annual marquee event for the SASLED doctors grows from strength to strength, planning for the 2026 conference is already underway, and our focus will be on building on this year’s successes while directly addressing the thoughtful feedback shared by delegates. We look forward to welcoming even more colleagues at our next event, and we continue to encourage all SAS and LED surgeons and dentists to make full use of the College’s resources, networks and opportunities for progression. The key message from our committee is simple: your contribution is essential, your development genuinely matters, and this committee remains committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Conference Highlights
Authors
Mr Alexander Baldwin, MBChB, BMedSci(Hons), MRCSEd
NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow and Specialty Registrar in Burns, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
University of Manchester & Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Mr Majid Mukadam MBE FRCS(C-Th) MRCS(Edin) MCh(CVTS) PGCE(UoBirm)
Associate Specialist – Cardiothoracic Transplantation
Council Member & Chair of RCSEd’s SASL Committee