Guidance for surgeons working during the COVID-19 pandemic from all four Royal Surgical Colleges

Published: 20 March 2020

Dear Fellows and Members

COVID-19: Advice to Fellows and Members

I am writing to you today to share some advice prepared by all four Royal Surgical Colleges.  These are unprecedented times for all of us and we are here to support you as you put aside your own interests to care for those in need, in particular those vulnerable groups such as the elderly or compromised.

This is a time of kindness and caring for all.  You are important to us and we want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can as a College to support your efforts.  We are working closely with the CMOs of each nation and with the Government and pushing on your behalf for more support - such as testing for all NHS staff, more protective equipment and support for those younger members of our profession who are now thrown in at the deep end.  Patient Safety is at the heart of everything we do and we will continue to push for quality of standards even in time of crisis.

Please do use our website for information and resources.  We have a whole page dedicated to resources on Patient Safety. And we obviously have regular updates on the current situation with COVID-19.

Professor Michael Griffin, President RCSEd