Nicola & James' 100km Ultra Challenge for Stop the Bleed!

Nicola is Legacy Manager at the College and has worked for RCS England for over 19 years. Along with her husband James, she is walking 100km along the Thames Path to support the College’s ambitious new programme STOP THE BLEED. It will train members of the public to control acute blood loss, which remains the second highest cause of death in trauma victims.

Incidents are on the rise and underreported in the UK, with over 45,000 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in 2021 and over 4,000 hospital admissions due to assault with a sharp object. 

Knife crime and injury are two of the most significant threats to young people. With the media reporting stabbing attempts in public places, there is one related element - there are often witnesses and bystanders. This is where pre-hospital care can begin.

The College will use its large network of clinicians already experienced in trauma care to deliver training to local community groups and other public cohorts. The first step is ensuring these clinicians are trained and certified to deliver this training locally, in addition to supporting nationwide delivery of this certification with high fidelity training kits containing the essentials to run a Stop the Bleed session. 

The ultimate aim is for non-medically trained civilians to know how to manage blood loss until emergency services arrive. We would be enormously grateful of any support you can give them for this vital College initiative. 

Donate to Nicola & James in support of Stop the Bleed (justgiving.com)

Global Appeal 2023 -  Fill in the GAPS - Global Access to Paediatric Surgery

The Royal College of Surgeons of England belongs to a worldwide community of surgeons. Together we strive to improve, learn, share and build for our patients. They are the beginning and end of everything we do. 

In January 2023, we launched our appeal supporting Global Access to Paediatric Surgery. We start with our partners in Zimbabwe, where an estimated 300,000 children have surgically treatable conditions and yet there are only two surgeons for every 100,000 people.

Please consider making a donation to our Global Appeal. We have a target of £10,000*, which will create a new paediatric orthopaedic course. Bringing trainees together from across Zimbabwe to learn essential and advanced skills in this much-needed treatment for children.

To find out more and to donate: bit.ly/RCSGlobalAppeal 

A wonderful legacy from Mr Bryn T Williams FRCS

On 23 March, we welcomed the family of late cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Bryn T Williams FRCS to the College. Mr Williams generously gifted a bronze sculpture of his hands to the FDS in his will. The sculptor, Neil Lawson Baker was a dental surgeon who changed career after 40 years of practice. The unique piece was presented to FDS Registrar, Hazel Johnstone, following a tour of the transformed College building. The new bespoke bookcase in the Research Room of the College Library also received support from Mr Williams’ legacy. 

Pictured: Hazel Johnstone (FDS Registrar), Mr Gareth Williams, Mrs Zara Linehan (née Williams) and Mrs Caroline Williams