In this special piece, we look into the world of surgery, the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) and how a career in the flexible workforce makes perfect sense.

 

Maybe you are starting out on your medical journey, unsure how to progress, or thinking of August rotation, a career in surgery – whatever stage you are at, this piece has lots of information to help you decide.

 

The Flexible Workforce 

Here in the UK, over the years, it has been found that a greater and greater proportion of doctors are deciding to undertake work as a locum. In fact, experts believe that as many as 1 in 5 UK doctors now work as a locum.

Not only are we seeing more locum doctors, but we’re also seeing an increase in the number of locum surgeons working for the NHS all over the country. The NHS in the UK is an incredible concept, and while people have taken it for granted in the past, if we’ve learnt anything over the last two years, it’s the fact that we need it now more than ever.

With the demand for UK-based surgeons rising sharply over the years, more and more medical students are looking to learn the ins and outs of surgery and the various surgical procedures they will be required to carry out when they’re qualified. If you’re considering becoming a surgeon, the Royal College of Surgeons of England should be one of your very first ports of call.

Here’s a detailed look at this prestigious college and how it can help you achieve your dream role as a surgeon in the UK.

 

About the Royal College of Surgeons of England

 The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) dates back centuries to the early 1800s, as it was established as a Royal Charter in 1800.

Back in 1800, ‘The Royal College of Surgeons in London’ was created on the presentation of a new Royal Charter. In 1843 a brand-new Royal Charter changed its name to The Royal College of Surgeons of England and expanded outside of London.

The college proved incredibly important in the UK, and as the years passed by, more and more specialities were added to the list, including the ‘Faculty of Dental Surgery’ in 1947, whereby they offered their own diplomas and internships.

The college was heavily damaged during the Second World War but was rebuilt and expanded to offer greater teaching capabilities.

In 2010 the college unveiled a state-of-the-art clinical skills unit which came to be known as the ‘Eagle Project’ named after the college’s emblem. Thanks to the investments and the advancements in modern tech and medicine, the college is considered one of the most advanced surgical teaching facilities, not only in the UK but in the entire world too.

 

What do surgeons do?

If you are considering becoming a surgeon in the UK, the RCS can help you train to achieve your dream role. As with most things in life, however, preparation is most definitely crucial, which is why you need to know what your role as a surgeon will be.

Admin

Contrary to what you see on TV dramas, life as a surgeon isn’t all about performing life-saving surgery from start to finish. In truth, there is a lot of paperwork and admin involved.

You may think it sounds boring, but the paperwork is essential as it ensures that patients receive the right type of surgery or treatment.

As a surgeon, you will also need to write patient notes, keep records, write to GPs, patients, and colleagues, and much more besides.

Ward rounds

When studying at the RCS, you’ll also learn about the importance of performing ward rounds. As a surgeon, these will be a part of your everyday working role as you will walk around the wards checking in on the condition and progress of your patients.

You’ll also meet with doctors, nurses, and other colleagues, and you may even eventually be required to teach foundation trainees and doctors.

Performing operations

When you think of surgeons, this is what you think of. Of course, you will also be taught how to perform operations and surgical procedures at the RCS.

As a qualified surgeon, you will work on a selection of pre-booked, emergency, and elective operations and surgical procedures. This could be anything from the removal of an ingrown toenail to performing open heart surgery.

 

What are SAS Surgeons?

As well as regular surgeons, you may also wish to consider a role as a Specialist and Associate Specialist – SAS surgeon.

SAS surgical roles can vary greatly. You will find that some SAS surgeons work primarily within complex major surgery. In contrast, others will have more subdued responsibilities and will instead provide outpatient services or even minor diagnostic procedures.

Most SAS surgeons, however, will carry out routine surgery and elective surgery. At the RCS, you’ll learn the ins and outs of SAS surgery, the responsibilities that go with the role, and the important stuff such as how to perform the surgical procedures in the first place.

 

The RCS and August Rotation

Here in the UK, every August, we see around 50,000 medical professionals move into different hospital posts to train in alternative specialities and different roles. This is known as the ‘changeover period’ or the ‘August Rotation’.

On the first Wednesday of every August in the UK, newly qualified doctors begin their posts nationwide, undergoing extensive training while being supervised by healthcare colleagues.

This period is important because it enables new doctors, both permanent and locum, to obtain new posts or even to expand upon their existing posts by learning new skills. This opens up new employment possibilities and helps them learn new skills.

The RCS helps countless surgeons and medical students during this period, helping them to learn the skills necessary for their chosen roles, as well as helping them prepare for what their new roles may bring, and of course, helping them obtain new roles in the first place.

Here we can also help you to discover where your career is going or where you want it to go; with multiple roles and opportunities available, we have a vast range of medical and surgical positions.

Surgery, for example, offers a wide range of specialities, including:

• Trauma surgery
• Transplant surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Brain surgery
• Heart surgery
• General surgery
• Paediatric surgery
• Neurosurgery
• And more…

If, for example, a general surgeon has aspirations of becoming a heart surgery specialist, the RCS can help provide the skills, learning, and experience needed to level up and work in this particular field.

So there you have it, all you need to know about the RCSEngland and the August Rotation, along with some useful thought-provoking ideas of how you might progress your surgical career.