Conference Overview

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh's inaugural Surgical Safety Summit (SSS) will unite colleagues from across the surgical patient pathway and those with lived experience to learn, collaborate and drive improvement in surgical safety.

This summit will provide a unique opportunity to learn about patient safety in surgery in a collaborative space. You will be able to connect with colleagues and forge new friendships with fellow patient safety champions, surgical teams and members of the wider surgical patient safety community. Our discussions will strengthen professional relationships and inspire future collaborations. There will be ample valuable opportunity to interact with and question renowned leaders in the patient safety field.

Set against the stunning backdrop of historic Edinburgh – a city renowned for its rich history, cultural landmarks, and vibrant friendly atmosphere, attendees will have the chance to explore the RCSEd iconic campus and its acclaimed Surgeons Hall museums. Delegates will be able to immerse themselves in centuries of surgical history while gaining fresh perspectives on modern innovations in surgical patient safety.

Conference Format

A full and interactive day to include a number of plenary sessions:

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

On the National Patient Safety Landscape

THEMED SESSIONS

With multiple presenters followed by panel discussion and Q&A:

Designing Safer Care: with systems, understanding work as done, dual operating, teamwork and enhancing our approach to checklists
The Human Technology Interface: emerging technology to support training and deliver safe surgical care, ensuring that patient safety is maintained with new technology
Fostering a Safety Culture: measuring culture and creating environments where safety thrives with patients as active partners

INTRODUCTORY INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS

With the option of attending one:

Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons
Non-Technical Skills for Dentists
Team Based Quality Reviews
True Cut - How to Flourish as a Surgeon after Adverse Events
After Action Reviews (AARs) in PSRIF
Informed Consent and Shared Decision Making (ICONS)
Learning from Invited Reviews

MACLEOD MCLAREN MEDAL IN PATIENT SAFETY

A presentation from individuals or a team who has made an outstanding contribution to improving patient safety through clinical work or research.

EXPERT DEBATE

Will AI make us Safer? Hear from four leading experts in their debate for and against, and have your chance to vote on the evidence presented.

CONNECT AND COLLABORATE

Network with colleagues, patients, safety leaders, and multidisciplinary teams committed to advancing patient safety. Opportunities to exchange ideas and socialise with refreshment breaks, buffet lunch and an evening drinks reception.

Suitability

Consultant surgeons, dentists, and residents
Peri-operative care teams
Patient safety academics and specialists
Healthcare leaders and managers
Those with lived experience

Conference Aims & Objectives

Educate delegates in the application of patient safety science to surgical care
Present the current patient safety landscape in the UK, i.e. why we are here
Update and improve understanding of the role of systems, technology and culture in delivering safe care
Introduce practical courses and approaches that apply human factors principles to safety, learning and improvement
Showcase an award-winning project by an individual or multidisciplinary team that has contributed to improving patient safety through clinical practice or research
Consider the evidence on the current and emerging risks and benefits of artificial intelligence for safety in healthcare
Connect colleagues across the surgical pathway, disciplines and professions to share learning, build relationships and support collaborative improvement in patient safety

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the conference, attendees will be able to:

Describe the importance of patient safety science and how it can be applied to improve safer surgical care
Learn about the current patient safety landscape in healthcare in the UK
Recognise and explain how human factors, systems, technology, and culture can influence patient safety
Consider the application of a practical approach to support and review the delivery of safer patient care
Reflect on an example and the impact of a successful patient safety improvement
Critically appraise the evidence relating to the current and emerging risks and benefits of AI on patient safety
Collaborate and make connections with multidisciplinary colleagues across the surgical pathway to improve safety
Translate and spread learning from the Surgical Safety Summit into practical application within home team and organisations to improve patient safety and care

Links to Surgical Curriculum

All doctors and dentists in training must demonstrate that they can participate in and promote activity to improve the quality and safety of patient care and clinical outcomes.

For doctors the summit will allow residents to gain competencies and evidence Domain 6 of the GMC’s Generic Professional Capabilities: Capabilities in patient safety and quality improvement.

For dentists the summit will allow residents to gain competencies and evidence parts of the following Domains:

1 Professional knowledge and management
2 Leadership and teamworking,
3 Patient Safety quality improvement and governance

from Section C of the GDC’s Generic Professional Dental Specialty Curricula.

Conference Director

Claire Morgan

Chair RCSEd Patient Safety Committee

Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis - book early to avoid disappointment!

Conference Costs (Early Bird)

Early Bird Conference Fee - £170.00

Early Bird Conference Fee (Members) - £155.00

Early Bird Conference (Trainee) - £140.00 - please email education@rcsed.ac.uk to book this fee

Early Bird Conference Fee (Allied Professional) - £140.00 - please email education@rcsed.ac.uk to book this fee

Early Bird Conference Fee (RCSEd Affiliate Member) - £95.00

Conference Costs (December 2026 Onward)

Conference Fee - £215.00

Conference Fee (Members) - £195.00

Conference Fee (Trainee) - £175.00 - please email education@rcsed.ac.uk to book this fee

Conference Fee (Allied Professional) - £175.00 - please email education@rcsed.ac.uk to book this fee

Conference Fee (RCSEd Affiliate Member) - £120.00

Speakers

Helen Hughes, Chief Executive Patient Safety Learning, RCSEd Patient Safety Committee
Helen Vosper, Human Factors Specialist, Senior Lecturer Patient Safety
Steven Shorrock, Human Factors Specialist, Chartered Psychologist/Ergonomist
Phil Turner, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, RCSEd Vice President, Patient Safety Committee
Mary Brindle, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Health Systems Researcher
Annie Hunningher, Consultant Anaesthetist, NatSSIPs National Lead
Helen Higham, Consultant Anaesthetist, Associate Dean for Simulation and Patient Safety
Siong Liau, Consultant HPB Surgeon, RCSEd Council
Steven Yule, Surgical Sabermetrics Laboratory Lead, Director MSc Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors
James Field, Professor of Restorative Dentistry, RCS Ed Chair Faculty Dental Trainers
Manoj Kumar, Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal and General Surgeon, National Clinical Lead TBQR (NHS Education Scotland), Associate Director of Medical Education
David Alderson, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Convenor True Cut - How to flourish as a surgeon after adverse events
Claire Morgan, Patient Safety Specialist, RCSEd Chair Patient Safety Committee
Janet Wilson, Emeritus Professor of Otolaryngology, RCSEd Course Director ICONS
Alice Hartley, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Lead RCSEd #Let’sRemoveIt campaign
Martin Bromiley, Founder - Clinical Human Factors Group, Professional pilot
Gerald Lip, Clinical Director for Breast Screening, Principle Investigator for Gemini
Ewen Harrison, Professor of Surgery and Data Science
Anna Paisley, RCSEd Vice President, Immediate Past Chair Patient Safety Group

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RCSEd’s course cancellation policy?

What happens if RCSEd cancels a course I am booked on?
Occasionally, RCSEd may need to cancel a course due to unforeseen circumstances or if it is not financially viable to run. If this happens, we will notify you as soon as possible and issue a full refund of any course fees paid.

Please note that RCSEd will not be liable for any additional costs such as travel or accommodation. We recommend arranging appropriate travel insurance to cover any non-refundable expenses.
What happens if I need to cancel my place on a course I am booked?

If you cancel within 48 hours of booking, you will receive a full (100%) refund.

Cancellations made more than four weeks before the course date will be refunded, minus a 20% administration fee.

If you cancel less than four weeks before the course date, after the course has started, or fail to notify us, the full course fee will be charged, and no refund will be given. However, if you have a valid reason and can provide supporting evidence, you may be eligible for an 80% refund, subject to approval.

Please note that course places are non-transferable. Many of our courses have waiting lists, and we are committed to offering any available places to those on the list.

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

Can I cancel a course booking online?

NO, cancellations must be made directly with the education team via phone or email. (Email: education@rcsed.c.uk or phone 0131 527 1600)

Can I transfer to another date for the same course?

No – we do not offer the option to defer or transfer your place to a later date or an alternative course.

How do I book a place on an RCSEd course?

You can book a place for all our courses by visiting the RCSEd Website, https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/events-courses and selecting the course you wish to book. Please note that you will need to register and create an account with the College of Surgeons in order to book.

Please be aware that creating an account is free and open to non-members.

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

What payment methods do RCSEd accept?

Visa and MasterCard are accepted on the RCSEd website.

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.

Event Details - RCSEd Surgical Safety Summit: Operating as One for Safer Healthcare

Key Facts