Women in Surgery at The Royal College of Surgeons of England

26/05/2026

Looking for perspective beyond your training rota?

Our mentoring scheme gives you access to conversations that don’t fit neatly into a clinic or classroom. Whether you’re weighing up next steps, building confidence, or simply want to talk things through with someone who understands surgical life, mentoring offers space to do just that.

Join as a mentee or take on the role of mentor and support others coming through training - all within our platform.

For members only: https://ow.ly/OoHi50YSmY9

12/05/2026

Great to spot so many of our members, including our former Chair Tamzin Cuming, speaking at the Everywoman Festival in London.

They’re covering important topics, including patient rights, motherhood, gender bias in healthcare and tackling inequality 👇

05/05/2026

Have you ever noticed the operating table is too high, your PPE doesn’t fit properly, or a device’s design makes your job harder?

Join us this Thursday 7 May at 6pm for a one-hour webinar exploring why inclusive surgical device design matters, and how better design can support women in surgery and improve patient outcomes.

Led by our own Felicity Meyer, with expert speakers from Team Consulting, Imperial College London and RCS England.

1 CPD point and free for members.

🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/c7g950YKOrF

30/04/2026

Have you ever noticed the operating table is too high, your PPE doesn’t fit properly, or a device’s design makes your job harder?

Join us on Thursday 7 May at 6pm for a one-hour webinar exploring why inclusive surgical device design matters, and how better design can support women in surgery and improve patient outcomes.

Led by our own Felicity Meyer, with expert speakers from Team Consulting, Imperial College London and RCS England.

1 CPD point and free for RCS England members.

🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/c7g950YKOrF

23/04/2026

👀 Spot our former WinS Chair, Tamzin Cuming. We love seeing our members challenge stereotypes. Representation matters, and that's why WinS is here ❤️

15/04/2026

Final call to apply: core trainee role in our Forum ⏰

As a member of the Forum, you'll represent our network of 6,000+ members across all grades and specialties to:

✅ raise the profile of women in surgery;
✅ create guidance, networks and events that support women at every career stage;
✅ engage female surgeons with the College and the wider profession;
✅ showcase the diverse lifestyles and flexible pathways within surgery.

If you or someone you know is ambitious, passionate and ready to lead, this is your moment to get involved and make an impact 💪

Applications close 19 April: https://ow.ly/khjG50Yxvpr See less

08/04/2026

Our Chair, Professor Felicity Meyer, sat down with Hospital Healthcare Europe to reflect on the evolving role of women in the profession, the barriers that remain, and why visibility and mentorship are key to driving lasting change.

Professor Meyer shares her advice for those considering a career in surgery: "If anyone wants to become a surgeon, they should definitely do it. In the end, the patients are the best thing about being a surgeon. It’s a real privilege that people trust us with their very being, and I learn something new from them every day."

The interview also discusses Insights: Portraits of Women in Surgery. The article describes the exhibition, open until 18 April at the Hunterian Museum, as 'about challenging perceptions and opening up possibilities to inspire young women and girls to go into surgery, while also correcting misconceptions shaped by news and media portrayals. '

More:

As the Insight: Portraits of Women in Surgery exhibition continues, Prof Felicity Meyer shares reflections on the evolution of the profession.

31/03/2026

We are guaranteeing women a place in senior leadership.

Eligible members and fellows are electing two Vice‑Presidents, who will join Professor Frank Smith as he becomes Senior Vice‑President. Under new rules designed to address the longstanding underrepresentation of women in surgery, at least one of the elected Vice‑Presidents must be a woman.

This change – shaped by member feedback and the recommendations of Baroness Helena Kennedy KC’s independent review – strengthens leadership, representation and the collective voice of the profession.

Your Vice‑Presidents will support our President, lead key projects, sit on the Trustee Board and represent you in the media and in government meetings.

Vote now: https://ow.ly/C12u50YybUy

26/03/2026

Many congratulations to our Forum member, Isabelle, who receives her certificate today. Welcome to our College 🙌

24/03/2026

Yesterday, our Vice-President, Professor Vivien Lees, and Council member, Laura Hamilton, met with the new Chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), Judge Fiona Monk, to discuss sexual misconduct in surgery.

Building on the findings of our Turning the Tide Report and the WPSMS's Breaking the Silence Report, we discussed the urgent need for consistent, trauma-informed approaches across the regulatory process. We were encouraged to hear that MPTS is taking forward several reforms aligned with our recommendations:

▪️ Introducing trauma-informed training for staff
▪️ Improving transparency through enhanced data collection, with a commitment to publish this data later in 2026.

We are grateful to Judge Monk and colleagues at MPTS for their openness and commitment to reform.

We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure safer working environments for everyone in healthcare.

Read our report: https://ow.ly/HeFo50Yy9AZ