Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recently hosted it’s first-ever Royal College of Surgeons’ (RCS) Intermediate Laparoscopic Skills course.
The Trust is the only centre currently outside of the RCS in London to be accredited to run the course and is hoping to offer it bi-annually going forward.
Course Director, Ahmed Elshaer, said:
This prestigious course, typically held in London, is one of the most valuable training programs offered by the RCS both nationally and internationally.
Successfully delivering this course in Bradford for the first time marks a significant achievement, establishing the Trust as a recognized regional and national centre for this esteemed course and for laparoscopic training.
The course is designed to equip trainee surgeons, and speciality and associate specialist (SAS) doctors with essential and advanced laparoscopic skills required for their training progression.
It provided hands-on experience in laparoscopic suturing and in laparoscopic procedures, including hernia repair, fundoplication, and bowel anastomosis, alongside structured assessment and constructive feedback to refine surgical techniques.
The inaugural course in Bradford attracted trainee surgeons from across the UK and Ireland.
Mr Elshaer continued:
We had trainees from Yorkshire, Manchester, Birmingham, Ireland and beyond.
The faculty comprised of experienced surgeons from various NHS hospitals and subspecialties, ensuring a well-rounded and high-quality educational experience.
We received overwhelmingly positive feedback, particularly regarding the course organization, interactive teaching methods, and supportive learning environment. Participants strongly expressed their interest in having this course regularly hosted in Bradford, recognizing its immense benefit for trainees nationwide.
Tracey Harrison, the Trust’s Simulation Training Lead from Education Services, added that the successful launch was
testament to the dedication and support of the Trust’s Simulation Centre team, which is based in Field House, Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI).
We look forward to continuing this initiative and arranging further courses on regular basis, here at the BRI.