Welcome to our elected Council members 2023

Vivien Lees – Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Professor Vivien Lees is Professor of Plastic Surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester where she is specialty lead and has clinical interests in hand surgery including wrist, rheumatoid and children’s hand disorders. She is particularly concerned with issues of access to surgical careers of the UK in the face of rising costs of training.

Vivien Lees – Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Peter Sagar – Consultant Surgeon/Professor of Colorectal Surgery 

Specialty: General Surgery

Peter Sagar – Consultant Surgeon/Professor of Colorectal Surgery 

I originally stood for Council promising to be an advocate for all surgeons whether trainees, consultants or SAS colleagues.

I have been your voice on Council and spoken up on the issues that matter to surgeons on the shop floor and ultimately improve patient care.

I have chaired the Women in Surgery Forum, led the Emerging Leaders Programme, been a panel member on the Diversity Review and coproduced the Action Plan. I have served on committees across the Council, including Membership, Research, Global Affairs and Sustainability.

I also personally spearheaded a campaign to ensure that our members and fellows will have a dedicated space in our new College building.

I wish to continue to serve my profession and ensure that the College remains accountable to and works for its membership. There is more work to be done. A vote for me is a vote for deeds not words. 

Ginny Bowbrick – Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Specialty: Vascular Surgery

Ginny Bowbrick – Consultant Vascular Surgeon

16 years in Consultant practice, striving to deliver excellent patient care, has given frontline experience of the challenges facing our profession. RCS Council brings fresh opportunity to improve care for the greater community of surgical patients.

As then President Association of Coloproctology, I helped shape Intercollegiate Royal Surgical College responses during COVID19 and take pride in how collective actions promoted safety of the surgical workforce and patients in uncertain times. Last year, I coordinated specialist multidisciplinary advice on recognition and management of VITTS.

Leadership in surgery shapes the futures of all our patients and trainees. Both face unparalleled hardships right now. RCS Council needs to prioritise their needs through effective and collaborative leadership.

The three priorities facing our profession are:

1. Training the next generation of surgeons,
2. Rapid recovery of backlogs in surgical services,
3. Embracing the urgent need for equality, diversity, and inclusion in surgery.
   
    

Andrew Carr – Nuffield Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery Honorary Consultant Surgeon

Specialty: Trauma and Orthopaedics

Andrew Carr – Nuffield Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery Honorary Consultant Surgeon

I am a Trauma and Orthopaedic Consultant, working in a Major Trauma Centre in Brighton. I sit on the Selection Design Group, managing the National appointment of Orthopaedic ST3 trainees.

My priorities:

1. Improving diversity: As part of the most infamous minority in surgery, I am passionate about encouraging representation from all walks of life in the surgical community. I contribute to the RSCE and BOA diversity panels, as well as regularly presenting and publishing on the topic.
2. Healthy work-life balance: I feel we can do better as a speciality to support family life and more flexible working, improving mental well-being. A surgical career IS compatible with a well-rounded life!
3. Represent trainees: Only 5% of the RSCE Council is less than 44years old and I would like to strengthen the voice of younger members of the RCSE, to improve engagement and provide value for money from subscription fees.

Bryony Lovett – Consultant Surgeon, Medical Director for Surgery MSE Foundation Trust, Chair of the Court of Examiners

Specialty: General and Colorectal Surgery

Bryony Lovett – Consultant Surgeon, Medical Director for Surgery MSE Foundation Trust, Chair of the Court of Examiners

I wish to stand for election to Council because I am committed to training and reforming our regulatory system.

I have been an NHS urology consultant for 27 years. I am a recognised national and international proctor for robotic surgery. I have helped establish and develop robotic urology.

I have personal, acute insight into failures of our regulatory system and the low threshold triggering investigation. I would like to work with RCSEng alongside the GMC to look at processes which, I believe, need changing for more judicious regulation. I also believe clinicians and healthcare managers need the same code of conduct and they should be subject to transparent equipoise accountability. Currently we are heavily regulated yet there is no regulation of ‘management’ within the NHS.

I would be proud to represent Members and Fellows who are interested in training and genuine regulatory reform.

• Training
• Accountability
• Regulatory reform

Ram Moorthy – Consultant ENT/ Head and Neck Surgery

Specialty: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Ram Moorthy – Consultant ENT/ Head and Neck Surgery

The NHS is in crisis. The backlog is rising, a motivated and well-trained surgical workforce is vital to resolve 
the crisis. Council must provide strong and diverse leadership, reflective of the membership.

My three priorities if elected to Council will be:

1. Supporting SAS surgeons with tailored career development including CESR support.
2. Ensure that the College provide more regional support, in-person and virtually, aimed at early and mid-career consultant surgeons.
3.  Supporting trainees in the development of both technical skills and non-technical skills required for a modern surgeon, minimising any financial burden placed on the aspiring surgeon
   
   

Dorothy Kufeji – Consultant Neonatal and Paediatric Surgeon

Specialty: Paediatric surgery

Dorothy Kufeji – Consultant Neonatal and Paediatric Surgeon