Building surgeons, breaking barriers hosted by Women in Surgery

We are delighted to welcome the Women in Surgery back to the 'Home of Surgery' for 2023. This fully hybrid conference will be a full-day event on Thursday, 14 September.

Hosted by Miss Tamzin Cuming, Women in Surgery (WinS) Chair, you will hear from a list of fantastic speakers discussing a variety of diverse and interesting topics, including:

• Colonel Professor Linda Orr OBE talking about compassionate leadership;
• Miss Esther McLarty joining the panel discussion on sustaining the workforce;
• Updates on the RCS England Kennedy review and The Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery;
• A selection of breakout sessions is available to ensure you gain as much from the day as possible. To read more about each session, please take a look at the options in the Breakout session tab at the top of the page. 

Our full programme will be announced very soon.

This full-day event includes a networking drinks reception from 5.30–7.30pm for all in-person attendees.

For those unable to attend in-person, the conference will have a virtual option available. Through our events platform, you can access talks, and activities, and network with delegates and speakers, sharing your views and questions.

Why should you attend?

The conference is open to all career grades, specialities and genders. If you are interested in receiving practical advice to advance your career and hear inspiring stories of success from a variety of surgeons, then this is the conference for you. You will also have many opportunities throughout the day to network with colleagues and speakers from across the UK.

If you are on parental leave or need to bring in a child with you for any other reason, please get in touch with the RCS England events team at Events team. We are happy to accommodate children to support parents' attendance at all our events.

Please note if you are not currently a member but would like to know more about RCS membership, then please visit our membership page or reach out to the Membership team.

Challenging antisocial behaviour – Hosted by Michael Okocha

Recommended Audience: All grades

In this workshop, we will explore strategies and techniques for effectively addressing and challenging antisocial behaviour both as a bystander and as the target. Antisocial behaviour can have a significant impact on individuals, communities, and organisations, and it is crucial to develop skills to address it appropriately.

Mentoring tool kit – Hosted by Anaiya Kaka and Rachel Aquilina

Recommended Audience: All grades

In this workshop, we will explore the essential components and strategies for developing effective mentoring relationships and building a mentoring toolkit. Whether you are a mentor or a mentee, having a toolkit of resources, skills, and strategies can greatly enhance the mentoring experience and contribute to professional and personal growth. Let's dive into the key elements of a mentoring toolkit.

Portfolio Careers for Surgeons – Hosted by Felicity Meyer and Jennifer Grayston 

Recommended Audience: Consultants and SAS Surgeons

In this workshop, we will explore the concept of portfolio careers and how they can be applied to the field of surgery. A portfolio career involves diversifying your professional activities and combining multiple roles or positions to create a fulfilling and varied career. This session will delve into the key aspects of developing a portfolio career as a surgeon including, how to get started, different ideas or areas to explore and the benefits of a portfolio career.

Presentation Skills – Hosted by Serena Evans

Recommended Audience: Medical Students, Foundation and Core Surgical Trainees, Specialty Trainees and equivalent level SAS/ LED surgeons.

Presentations are an integral part of a surgeon’s working life. In this workshop, we will explore various strategies and techniques to help you improve your presentation skills. Whether you are new to delivering presentations or looking to enhance your communication skills this workshop aims to provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to deliver engaging and impactful presentations

Passing Exams – Hosted by Shirley Chan

Recommended Audience: Foundation and Core Surgical Trainees, Specialty Trainees and equivalent level SAS/ LED surgeons.

The MRCS and FRCS are key milestones in a surgeon’s journey whether you are in training, looking to obtain a SAS role or completing a CESR application. Passing surgical exams requires thorough preparation, a strong foundation of knowledge, and effective study strategies. We will be joined by recent candidates and examiners to help you prepare for your surgical exams.

Preparing Your Portfolio for Surgical Training – Hosted by Daphne Chia

Recommended Audience: Foundation and Core Surgical Trainees, Specialty Trainees and equivalent level SAS/ LED surgeons.

In this workshop, we will guide you through the process of building a strong and comprehensive portfolio to support your application for surgical training programs. A well-organised and compelling portfolio can significantly enhance your chances of being accepted into the program of your choice. Let's explore the key elements and strategies for creating an impressive surgical training portfolio.

Getting published – Hosted by Clara Munro and Rebecca Grossman

Recommended Audience: Medical Students, Foundation and Core Surgical Trainees, Specialty Trainees and equivalent level SAS/ LED surgeons.

In this workshop, we will discuss strategies and best practices to help you navigate the process of being published. Publishing is crucial for sharing your findings with the surgical community and advancing your career. This session will explore the steps involved in the publishing journey.

Teamwork through puppetry (In person only) – Hosted by Rachel Warr 

Recommended Audience: People in leadership positions.

The work of a surgeon and a puppeteer may appear distant, they serve very different purposes, but if one looks beyond this and focuses on the skills each requires then striking parallels emerge. This workshop session will introduce participants to puppetry techniques that share strong connections to surgical practice and will draw attention to the different ways we approach similar challenges, to open up new ways of thinking. Participants will be invited to join in discussion and engage in practical work in groups.