Innovation in surgery
Seven years on from our Commission on the Future of Surgery, many of its predictions have become reality. But the pace of change continues to accelerate.
We support our members to adapt and lead that change, including through guidance, research, training, mentoring, and by convening the experts and facilitating critical conversations at our Future of Surgery Festival.
At the same time, we are shaping national direction—shaping national standards and policy through real‑world insight from across the profession.
- Robotic-assisted surgery guidance
- Future of Surgery Programme
- Research and insights in our journals
- Fellowships, awards and grants to support research and innovation
- Extended reality (XR) training
- Mentoring
Guidance for the adoption and expansion of robotic-assisted surgery
Despite its advantages, robotic-assisted surgery adoption has been inconsistent across the UK due to high costs, lack of national strategy, and limited access to training.
Robotic-assisted surgery: A pathway to the future aims to address these challenges by proposing a framework for the adoption and expansion of robotic-assisted surgery in UK hospitals.
Future of Surgery Programme
Technology is advancing rapidly to enhance surgical care. As you continue to deliver the best care you can, new tools and innovations can revolutionise this care within a single training cycle. To explore the digital transformation of surgical training, we launched the Future of Surgery: Technology Enhanced Surgical Training (FOS:TEST) Commission.
Through this commission, we investigated the medical and technological developments that will define the future of surgery and launched a programme to support their use in real surgical care. The Future of Surgery Programme focuses on four main areas:
- Innovation Hub: Our Innovation Hub drives progress in surgery by bringing together surgeons, allied healthcare professionals, engineers, and industry experts to develop new products and tools that help deliver real results and advance patient care. The Innovation Hub provides support and expertise to surgical innovators at all stages, ensuring that promising ideas reach clinical practice.
- Robotic-assisted surgery: We aim to support the safe and effective integration of robotic-assisted surgery into mainstream surgical practice. We connect individuals within the surgical community, advance research, support surgical training, and shape policy
- Digital surgery: We want to ensure that surgical practice reflects the latest technological advancements, including the integration of digital technologies. Our digital surgery initiative pulls together insights from surgeons, patients, and the public to enhance surgical innovation and advance patient care.
- Genomics and molecular surgery: Our dedicated team aims to support surgeons with the education and training they need in genomics and molecular surgery, a field that is improving patient outcomes across a range of conditions.
Research and insights in our journals
Browse our journals for original research, surgical news and expert opinions in all areas of surgery.In January’s issue of the Bulletin, we look at how genomics is accelerating precision in surgery and explore the growing role of computer vision and AI in the operating theatre.
Fellowships, support and funding opportunities
We offer a range of fellowships and grants to support innovation in surgery and help you achieve your research goals.
Read our interview with the Innovation and Improvement Fellow, Terouz Pasha, and find out about her plans for the fellowship.
Extended Reality (XR) training
Find out how the XR Lab can enhance your training.
Mentoring
Finding support within the surgical community makes it easier to navigate change. Our mentoring platform makes the mentoring experience simple and flexible, connecting our expansive network of members.