Press releases

16 Jan 2026 Responding to the National Audit Office (NAO) update on the New Hospital Programme (NHP), Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: “A steadier plan is better than drifting, but patients cannot wait a decade for capacity that we need now."

15 Jan 2026 The College responds to the latest NHS consultant-led referral-to-treatment data, which showed the total waiting list decreased by 145,179 in November 2025, with 7.15 million people on the waiting list.

13 Jan 2026 The College responds to research published by BMJ Open which revealed that the ‘postoperative complications of medical tourism may cost NHS up to £20,000 per patient’

16 Dec 2025 Responding to the Government's plans for NHS dental contract reforms, Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) said: “FDS welcomes the government’s focus on prioritising patients with the most urgent and complex needs, strengthening prevention in children’s oral health, and supporting better use of the wider dental team."

13 Dec 2025 The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) has warned that it will be “near impossible” for the NHS in England to meet the government’s manifesto pledge on waiting times without further investment, particularly in operating theatres and surgical staff, as the results of the latest UK Surgical Workforce Census are published.

11 Dec 2025 The latest NHS consultant-led referral-to-treatment data shows that the total waiting list increased by 6,002 in October 2025, reaching 7.3 million. The figures released this morning underline the urgent and ongoing need for increased investment in NHS infrastructure, including estates and equipment.

09 Dec 2025 The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) has issued new guidance urging NHS Trusts to strengthen training and tighten governance for surgeons performing robotic procedures, amid growing use of the technology in operating theatres.

25 Nov 2025 Responding to the Government’s announcement that they are expanding the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to include milk-based drinks and lowering the threshold from 5g to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml, Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England said: "After years of campaigning, we welcome the Government’s decision to extend the Soft Drinks Industry Levy..."

13 Nov 2025 The Royal College of Surgeons of England is calling on the government to ensure NHS Trusts have the flexibility to make the capital investments needed to expand capacity and modernise infrastructure, so patients can receive timely care.

07 Nov 2025 RCS England responded to a report on sexism and sexual violence against medical students, repeating our call for decisive collective action to tackle sexual misconduct across the NHS.