Accredited courses
The courses listed below went through a rigorous review process and met RSC England standards that relate to course accreditation.
Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialisation (THD)
THD Slide FAST for Anolift is a virtual and online course dedicated to the in-depth study of the THD Doppler surgical technique for the minimally invasive treatment of haemorrhoidal disease. During the course, the cornerstones of the THD Doppler method are reiterated: arterial overflow reduction and prolapse correction.
The prolapse correction is proposed using the THD Slide device in combination with a self-locking suture; their joint use allows the realisation of the mucopexy already described in the literature with the term "Anolift". The course is aimed at Consultant Surgeons, Senior Surgical Trainees and the wider surgical support team.
Initially accredited February 2012. Accredited until January 2025.
St Thomas' Cadaveric Hand Trauma Course
The course is focused on the assessment and management of hand trauma and hand trauma surgical skills using fresh frozen cadavers, including soft tissue reconstruction using local flaps, tendon repair using common techniques, as well as fracture reduction and fixation using k wires, screws and plates.
The course is aimed at trainee surgeons in plastic surgery and orthopaedic surgery.
Initially accredited December 2014. Accredited until December 2023.
Postgraduate Orthopaedics
This is a six-day preparatory course for the FRCS (Tr&Orth) exam. It looks at examination techniques, improving core orthopaedic knowledge, clinical examination skills, and practical viva sessions with live feedback.
The target audience is primarily senior orthopaedic trainees preparing to sit the FRCS (Tr&Orth) exam. The providers recommend that candidates should ideally be within one year of sitting the exam.
Initially accredited April 2016. Accredited until March 2026.
https://postgraduateorthopaedics.co.uk/Bristol and Oxford Surgical Trials Interventions Course (BOSTiC)
This three-day surgical research training event is run by the Bristol and Oxford Surgical Trials Units, for foundation, core, and specialist trainees of all surgical specialties. The course takes place once a year alternating between Oxford and Bristol. Students work collaboratively to learn how to design and conduct RCTs in surgery that answer research questions of relevance to surgeons, patients, and the NHS.
Initially accredited June 2017. Accredited until June 2024.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/population-health-sciences/centres/surgical-research/education/courses/
FRCS (Tr & Orth) Viva Course for Orthopaedic Surgeons
This interactive two-day course focuses on preparing delegates for the viva (oral) component of the FRCS (Orth) examination in a friendly atmosphere. Co-directed by Jeh Mahaluxmivala the course runs annually at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London. Delegates work through a range of techniques to improve both oral skills and orthopaedic examination skills.
Initially accredited December 2018. Accredited until December 2024.
Trauma and Essential Surgical Skills (TESS)
This is a multi-disciplinary & multi-professional course run at Queen's Hospital in Romford which is aimed at primary care, extended surgical care members and ED trainees.
The course is usually based on six stations and integrated with the Practical Skills Day for foundation trainees. The stations usually include discussion regarding types of sutures, knots, suturing techniques, excision of cysts, basic laparoscopic skills, aspiration of joints and injections of joints. In addition, orthopaedic colleagues provide a station for joint injection/aspiration, and management of soft tissue and skeletal trauma in ED and the community.
Initially accredited January 2019. Accredited until December 2024.
UK Clubfoot - Training Levels 1 & 2
Clubfoot Training Level 1: Principles and Practice of Ponseti Treatment
The course offers an introduction to the core concepts and techniques of the Ponseti method in a non-complex, idiopathic case of clubfoot in a child under two.
It gives hands-on practice in clubfoot manipulation, Pirani scoring, casting, and bracing on training models and patients (where appropriate). It supports learners in identifying when treatment is or is not progressing well, and to plan treatment or another course of action accordingly.
Clubfoot Training Level 2: Advanced Clubfoot Management
The Level 2 course builds on Level 1 by providing a review of Ponseti treatment in infants with idiopathic clubfoot, as well as advanced knowledge on kinematic coupling in clubfoot treatment, the evidence base for it, and advanced hands-on techniques. Challenging cases are also covered, including atypical clubfoot, recurrent clubfoot, and secondary clubfoot.
There is a discussion on working with families to gain adherence, common errors, and monitoring and improving clubfoot clinic quality. The course is aimed at experienced surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, paediatricians, physiotherapists or other AHP working with children with clubfoot.
Initially accredited January 2019. Accredited until December 2024.
Foundations in Surgical Skills and Anatomy for the Physician Associate
This course at Canterbury Christ Church University for physician associates provides a foundation of education in surgical anatomy, wound management and pain assessment and management, theatre etiquette and skills and an overview of minimally invasive surgical techniques. The course enables participants with varied experiences to choose from the following modules:
- Foundations in Basic Surgical Skills for Pas (4 days)
- Foundations in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Surgical Skills and Anatomy for Pas (3 days)
- Foundations in General Surgical Skills and Anatomy for Pas (3 days)
Initially accredited January 2019. Accredited until December 2024.
https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/BOSTAA Advanced Arthroscopic Knee Course
The two-day course run annually by the British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy Association (BOSTAA) at the Expert Connect Centre in Watford provides technical and hands-on cadaveric training on a number of different operative treatments applied in orthopaedic sports injury. It is aimed at ST6 level and above, including SAS grade and consultant orthopaedic surgeons who would like training in advanced knee soft tissue procedures including arthroscopy on cadavers.
Initially accredited March 2019. Accredited until March 2025.
Hostile Environment Surgical Training (HEST)
The Hostile Environment Surgical Training (HEST) course is run by the David Nott Foundation, for surgeons who are working in hostile environments. The course delivers surgical training to medical professionals operating in austere conditions and conflict zones. It covers all areas of surgery for injuries which could be expected due to conflict or natural disasters; enabling surgeons, regardless of their specialisms, to better treat casualties and improve surgical outcomes.
The target audience for the five-day course is healthcare professionals living and working in conflict zones and austere environments globally, with an emphasis on the Middle East. There are no specific entry requirements for the HEST course, other than being a healthcare professional with an intermediate understanding of surgery.
Initially accredited June 2019. Accredited until June 2025.
Single Incision Laparoscopic Colorectal Course (SILCS)
This course is run at the University Hospital of North Tees. The aim of this course is to build confidence in attempting single port surgery. It is designed for Senior colorectal surgical trainees and consultants with adequate laparoscopic skills keen to embark on a journey of single port colorectal surgery. Learners will develop an understanding and adapt to the ergonomics involved with single port surgery.
Initially accredited June 2019. Accredited until June 2023.
The Hamlyn Symposium of Medical Robotics
This annual symposium run by The Hamlyn Centre for Medical Robotics provides a forum for international surgeons and engineers to network and share the latest developments in medical robotics, attracting world-leading scientists, engineers and clinical practitioners from a wide range of disciplines associated with medical robotics and surgery.
Initially accredited September 2019. Accredited until September 2025.
Laparoscopic Bile Duct Exploration Course
This two-day course at the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust concentrates on laparoscopic bile duct exploration.
The first day covers evidence for the practice, patient selection, surgical techniques, the ‘pit falls’ of starting a service, and getting the right equipment. Also discussed is the management of acute presentation and integration of surgical service and ERCP. As well as lectures, live link surgery will be used for interactive discussion.
The second day is workshop-based concentrating on laparoscopic suturing, choledocoscopes and bile duct instruments and a highly recommended hands-on LCBDE wet lab model.
Initially accredited September 2019. Accredited until September 2023.
Advanced Laparoscopic Hiatal Surgery Course
The Advanced Laparoscopic Hiatal Surgery Course is an annual two-day course run at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust that concentrates on aspects of advanced hiatal surgery that senior trainees may have limited exposure to in training and junior consultants may feel least confident within their clinical practice.
The first day is a workshop based concentrating on skills in the wet lab, laparoscopic suturing, and energy tissue dissection. The second day covers a discussion of the evidence for surgical practice, patient selection and surgical techniques. As well as lectures live link surgery is used for discussion and demonstration.
The course is aimed at Upper GI trainees (ST6 upwards) and Consultants who would like to learn or practice the competencies that are required to perform advanced hiatal surgery.
Initially accredited December 2019. Accredited until December 2023.
SCReaM Human Factors Course
SCReaM is a patient safety initiative focused on promoting healthcare worker wellbeing, as well as individual and team performance. It aims to promote an awareness of the impact of human factors, and safety culture, embed skills to improve individual and team performance and improve the ability to perform effectively even under the added stress and pressure of unexpected emergencies and other pressures faced by NHS staff. There are now refresher and virtual courses for those who have completed the initial course.
Initially accredited October 2019. Accredited until September 2025.
Papworth Aortic Isthmus Symposium
This one-day Aortic Isthmus Symposium is run by the Royal Papworth Professional Development team, which is part of The Royal Papworth NHS Trust and is primarily aimed at increasing knowledge around interventions involving the aorta. The symposium is primarily aimed at surgeons within cardiac and vascular surgery – both trained and still in training.
It aims for delegates to understand the natural history of an aortic aneurysm within the chest and understand the outcomes of the NIHR national observational study of interventions for arch and descending thoracic aortic disorders.
Initially accredited November 2022. Accredited until November 2025.
Orthopaedic Evaluation of X-Rays
This one-day course focuses on providing participants with the knowledge necessary to make safe evaluations of trauma radiographs and minimise the chances of missing fractures. The course is aimed at junior doctors, early middle grades, trauma nurse practitioners and surgical care practitioners involved in the care of trauma patients presenting with fractures.
Initially accredited March 2020. Accredited until March 2024.
Orthobasics Course, South Africa
This course is designed for medical officers, general practitioners, orthopaedic nursing staff, casualty staff, POP technicians and anyone else involved in the care and treatment of orthopaedic patients. The course was developed by a team of orthopaedic surgeons at Port Shepstone Hospital.
It aims to enhance basic orthopaedic skills in medically trained staff, improve patient care, and educate primary care staff on when to refer patients.
Initially accredited June 2021. Accredited until June 2024.
MRI Pro online
The aim of this online course is to support learners in improving diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer, enabling targeted prostate biopsy and reducing unnecessary prostate biopsy through the correct diagnosis of a negative MRI.
Initially accredited January 2019. Accredited until January 2025.
Portsmouth Robotic Upper GI Course
This course facilitates the understanding of the current evidence for robotic upper GI surgery and common pitfalls in general and selected UGI robotic procedures. It provides hands-on (cadaveric) console and table-side exposure to robotic upper GI surgery, as well as an introduction to the training pathway to become an independent robotic UGI surgeon.
The course is aimed at Peri-CCT upper GI trainees and upper GI consultants.
Initially accredited September 2022. Accredited until September 2025.
AUCA - Advanced Male Urethral Catheterisation Course
The Advanced Urinary Catheterisation Academy’s Advanced Male Urethral Catheterisation (AMUC) Course looks to expand already existing skills, enabling junior doctors and surgical trainees to manage difficult catheterisation in the hospital setting.
The one-day course educates doctors regarding the risk of urethral trauma; allows surgical trainees to identify when catheterisation may be difficult and understand how to avoid causing harm; highlights the potential problems with catheterising men with large prostates.
The course is open to Junior Doctors. Surgical Trainees. Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Healthcare professionals with prior experience in basic male urethral catheterisation. It is delivered through trainer demonstration and delegate practice, with assessment including an observed procedure.
Initially accredited June 2023. Accredited until June 2026.
Headstart - Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) Course
The Head & Neck Cancer Foundation’s Headstart – Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) training course, is an online programme, aimed at supporting multi-disciplinary teams setting up a new SNB service for patients with oral cancer.
Content includes practical aspects of nuclear medicine; nuclear medicine imaging for sentinel nodes; gamma probes for H&N SLNB. It is delivered via pre-recorded lectures and demonstration videos. A library of resources including key papers, patient information sheets, and protocols are also made available to delegates. Assessment is online MCQs.
Initially accredited June 2023. Accredited until June 2026.