Basic Surgical Skills

Overview

This two-day course, aimed at FY1 and above, is designed to instil core surgical skills at the very start of a surgeon's training by teaching the correct basic techniques. You will be taught instrument handling, knot tying, suturing techniques, fine tissue handling, wound management and diathermy.

These courses are delivered by experienced surgeons with a wide range of knowledge and experience in teaching. They are delivered both in the UK and internationally. (Attendance at this course, will give you the opportunity to apply for a one year FREE Affiliate Membership with the College)

Suitability

FY1 (BSS is strongly recommended for all trainees who are about to embark on their first surgical position), FY2, ST1/CT1 and ST2/CT2 and SCPs.

Macro alias: CourseHubPageRelevantGrades

Course Format

Course participants have access to pre-course material online giving them the opportunity to view the basic concepts covered by the course. The course is held over two days with a series of demonstrations and extensive hands on sessions. Techniques are practiced using a combination of prepared animal tissue, synthetic models and simulation.

Course Objectives

Junior trainees pursuing a career in surgery are expected to be able to perform a range of basic surgical skills prior to commencing specialty surgical training. These skills are not specifically covered during their foundation or core training placements. The Basic Surgical Skills courses have been running since 1994, with the involvement of all four UK and Ireland Colleges of Surgeons, and are designed to teach the essential basic technical skills required of a surgeon, instilling good practice at the early stages of training.

Participants are introduced to the principles underpinning the various techniques being taught and practice these techniques with individual tuition and under the expert supervision of consultant surgeons. Participants are assessed throughout the course and issued with a certificate upon successful completion.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, participants should be able to:

Explain the principles of good practice in theatre etiquette, knot tying, suturing, haemostasis, anastomosis, surgical diathermy and ergonomics for minimal access surgery.
Describe correct handling and use of surgical instruments.
Demonstrate an appropriate procedure for 'gowning' and 'gloving' in accordance with recommended standards of practice.
Tie a variety of reliable knots, including surgical reef knots and the Aberdeen knot and tying at depth.
Suture a variety of tissues, including skin, bowel, vascular tissue and tendons effectively.
Perform abscess drainage and contaminated wound debridement in accordance with the basic principles of wound management.
Demonstrate basic techniques for small bowel, vascular and tendon anastomoses.
Demonstrate an understanding of basic diathermic technique.
Demonstrate effective management of ergonomic tissue commonly encountered with minimal access surgery.

Costs

Course Fee: £585.00

Course Fee for RCSEd Members/Affiliates: £527.00

Cancellation Policy

Please ensure you read our cancellation policy before booking. For our full terms and conditions regarding our cancellation policy, please view our Cancellation Policy which is available on the tab above.

Course Director

Saheel Mukhtar

Location Specific Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RCSEd’s course cancellation policy?

What happens if RCSEd cancels a course I am booked on?
On occasion, RCSEd may need to cancel a course, for example if we are affected by an event out with our control or if it is not financially viable for us to deliver the course. If we do need to cancel, we will let you know as soon as possible and provide you with a full refund of course fees paid.

RCSEd shall incur no further liability (eg. travel or accommodation costs). You may wish to consider taking out appropriate travel insurance for any non-refundable costs you may incur when arranging to attend the course.

What happens if I need to cancel my place on a course I am booked?
If you cancel your place more than four weeks before the event date, you will incur an administration fee of 10% (or £50, whichever is greater) of the total course fee. NB: For course fees £250 and under, the cancellation fee is £30)

If you cancel your place less than four weeks before the course date, once the course has started, or you do not notify us, the total course fee will be charged, and no refund will be given.

Please also note that you cannot transfer your place on a Course to someone else. This is because many of our courses have a waiting list, and we have an obligation to honour this.

Can I cancel a course booking online?
NO, cancellations must be made directly with the education team by email (education@rcsed.ac.uk).
Can I transfer to another date for the same course?
YES, you can transfer to another date by contacting the Education section directly (education@rcsed.ac.uk). Please note that you can transfer only once and transfers can only be made if more than 4 weeks prior to the start of the course, without incurring additional costs. Should you cancel again, no refund shall be given.

Should you have any further questions, the Education Team can be contacted on 0131 527 1600 or by email to education@rcsed.ac.uk.

How do I book a place on an RCSEd course?

You can book a place for all our courses by visiting the RCSEd website, and selecting the course you wish to book. Please note that you will need to register with the website in order to book.

For some regional and international courses you will need to book directly with the centre. Please check individual courses for details.

You can also contact the Education Section by phone to book (0131 527 1600).

What payment methods do RCSEd accept?

Visa and MasterCard are accepted on the RCSEd website and over the phone to the education team.

All course bookings will receive a booking confirmation email: this email acts as your receipt.

Request an Invoice: If your course fees will be paid by a third party (eg trust, hospital, charitable fund) and they wish to be invoiced then they must provide us with an official purchase order. We are unable to process applications without this.

The purchase order should be submitted with the application form and can be emailed to education@rcsed.ac.uk. Please note that we can only invoice organisations and not individuals. Please check with your hospital or trust, as some may require you to pay yourself and then claim the money back.

Associated Documents

2024 rcsed_course_cancellation_policy.pdf

Basic Surgical Skills

Key Facts