The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is acutely aware that surgery as a whole needs to be more representative of the patients it serves. As such we have begun a process of deep reflection and the exploration of what we can do to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity within both the College and the profession more widely. This means gaining a better understanding of the many institutional and cultural barriers to equality and diversity, and looking at how the College’s strategic leadership and influence can engender debate and change where it is needed.
We know that the best patient care is delivered with teams with mutual trust, respect and support, so we are committed to making sure that all of our members, fellows, employees and anyone who interacts with the College feels respected and valued.
Over the coming months and years, we will be taking a thorough and honest look at our priorities, structures and processes. We will not shy away from making changes we believe will positively improve the diversity of engagement and decision making. We will strive to improve equality and inclusivity within the profession. And we will work with under-represented groups to better appreciate their needs and act accordingly.
The College prides itself on being a welcoming professional organisation that benefits from a diversity of opinion and perspectives. We therefore invite all of our Fellows and Members to engage with this important agenda to ensure improvements are made in the short, medium and long term.
Professor Michael Griffin OBE, President, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, April 2021
- RCSEd was first incorporated as the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1505 and is based in Edinburgh and Birmingham.
- It is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world with a global membership of more than 32,000, including 15,000 members in the UK.
- The College also has a significant worldwide presence with members in over 140 countries.
- The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical and dental workforce.
- The College has six faculties: The Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Faculty of Surgical Trainers, The Faculty of Dental Trainers, The Faculty of Perioperative Care, The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care and The Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare.
- It is also home to the UK’s only Faculty of Surgical Trainers, open to all those with an interest in surgical training regardless of College affiliation.
- Find RCSEd at www.rcsed.ac.uk, on X (formerly known as Twitter), on Facebook, and Instagram.
For further information, please contact comms@rcsed.ac.uk.