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Comment on women in surgery

01 Oct 2015

RCS President Miss Clare Marx spoke on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning about women in surgery. Her interview can be heard here (scroll to approximately 02:44:10). The BBC are running an article saying female surgeons ‘face hostility’ in surgery.

Commenting on this, Miss Clare Marx, said:

"More and more women are entering surgery. Although 11% of consultants are women, 30% of trainees are now women and this number is rising.

"Harassment and discrimination experienced by women is clearly unacceptable. This must not be tolerated and be dealt with immediately. However, this does not reflect my and many other women’s positive careers in surgery. A General Medical Council survey of 50,000 junior doctors found no real difference between levels of bullying and undermining being reported between men and women. Around 8% had reported experiencing such behaviour.

"As more women have successful careers in surgery, doctors choosing a career in medicine will see the opportunities a career in surgery can bring. As part of this we must continue to look at how to make surgical training more manageable for both men and women, especially at the important points in their careers when they are having families.

"Surgery is a wonderful career option for women. I, female members of the RCS Council and other leading female surgeons will continue to show by example that women can and should play an important role in surgery."

The College runs a ‘Women in Surgery’ group. Through its national and regional campaigns and events, the College supports women in, or considering entering surgery, providing advice, practical skills and the opportunity to meet other women pursuing a surgical career.

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.

For more information, please contact the Press Office:

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