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Basic Surgical Skills (Intercollegiate BSS)

BSS is strongly recommended for all trainees who are about to embark on their first surgical position.

Delivered over two days, through a series of hands-on sessions, you will develop a range of core surgical skills and techniques. This course also includes some mandatory, pre-course e-learning. 

Led by experienced faculty you will have the opportunity to learn to use a range of surgical instruments and to handle tissue with increased confidence. 

RCS membership entitles you to a 10% discount on this course at partner centres. Find out if you're eligible to join or transfer

To see a list of our current BSS course centres please click here (correct as of May 2020)

  • £799.00
  • 2 days
  • 12.00 CPD Points
£799.00
2 days
12.00 CPD Points

Suitability

This course is suitable for: FY1-2 and CT1-2. It is also open to Surgical Care Practitioners, Surgical First Assistants, and anyone in training for those roles.

Learning Outcomes

After attending this course, you should have gained core skills in open surgery, electrosurgery and endoscopic surgery. You should be able to:

  • demonstrate safe operating techniques;
  • use a variety of surgical knots safely and effectively;
  • confidently handle and use surgical instruments;
  • handle tissues confidently with due regard to their unique properties;
  • use endoscopic instruments in a practical and safe way;
  • discuss the practical, safe use of electrosurgery. 

Format

BSS is a practical, workshop-led course. Each skill is introduced with a step-by-step demonstration before participants practice the technique. Many centres use a variety of porcine and ovine/ maleagrine tissues although some choose to use synthetic tissue. Please check with the centre in advance if this is a concern for you. The Bjorn Saven Centre at RCS England uses animal tissue.

You’ll receive continual feedback and assessment throughout the two days.

Before the course, you will be sent the BSS handbook and a link to the online learning platform, where you can view the BSS videos and do the MCQs. This essential pre-course material will ensure you get the most out of every session. 

Additional Information

Course content

You will participate in a variety of practical training sessions during the BSS course, including:

  • gowning, gloving, laying safe surgical knots and local anaesthetic management;
  • tissue handling practice (including for infected and contaminated tissues), along with the requirements for differing tissue sites, such as skin, bowel or vessels;
  • electrosurgery device usage;
  • manipulation of endoscopic instruments in a 3D surgical environment while viewing a remote 2D image;
  • visuospatial awareness, management of depth cueing and control of the ‘fulcrum effect’ during endoscopic surgery.

Take a look at a sample BSS programme

10% discount on this course for RCS members

Members, fellows, associates and affiliates benefit from a 10% discount on this course when held at one of our partner centres - MSSSC (Manchester) and GAPS (St Georges, London). 

Your discount will be applied automatically when booking. 

Find out more about joining today.

PGCert in Surgery Associated Course

You will be awarded 2 credits toward the Postgraduate Certificate in Surgery upon booking this course. (The inclusion of courses in the PGCert in Surgery is subject to availability).

Booking Options

Regional Centres

Thu
28
Sep
2023
-
Fri
29
Sep
2023
£650.00
Addenbrookes Hospital

28 Sep 2023
-
29 Sep 2023

£650.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £650.00

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

Addenbrookes Hospital

Location:

Addenbrookes Hospital
Hills Road
CAMBRIDGE
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
ab2340@medschl.cam.ac.uk
01223 256229

Instructions:

Mrs A Bloomfield, ab2340@medschl.cam.ac.uk, 01223 256229, Please book your place on the PGMC website: https://www.cam-pgmc.ac.uk/
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Fully Booked

Pricing notes:

Full price: £650.00

Fully Booked

Contact details:

Please contact the coordinator:
Mrs A Bloomfield
ab2340@medschl.cam.ac.uk
mailto:ab2340@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Book online

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Thu
28
Sep
2023
-
Fri
29
Sep
2023
£675.00
Kingsbridge Training Academy

28 Sep 2023
-
29 Sep 2023

£675.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £675.00

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

Kingsbridge Training Academy

Location:

Kingsbridge Training Academy
10 Falcon Way
BELFAST
BT12 6SQ
United Kingdom
info@kingsbridgetrainingacademy.com
0289735273

Instructions:

Kingsbridge Training Academy, info@kingsbridgetrainingacademy.com, 0289735273, This highly practical and interactive 2 day course has been designed to introduce surgical trainees to safe surgical practice within a controlled workshop environment. Suitable for: FY1, FY2, CT1, CT2, ST1, ST2, SAS. Especially those who are about to e
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Fully Booked

Pricing notes:

Full price: £675.00

Fully Booked

Contact details:

Please contact the coordinator:
Kingsbridge Training Academy
info@kingsbridgetrainingacademy.com
https://kingsbridgetrainingacademy.com/courses/intercollegiate-basic-surgical-skills/

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Fri
29
Sep
2023
-
Sat
30
Sep
2023
£600
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

29 Sep 2023
-
30 Sep 2023

£600

Pricing notes:

Full price: £600

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Location:

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
HULL
HU3 2JZ
United Kingdom
janine.peck1@nhs.net
01482 816672

Instructions:

Ms J Peck, janine.peck1@nhs.net, 01482 816672
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Booking details

Pricing notes:

Full price: £600

Before booking at the centre, please follow these steps:

Have an account?
Please login Please login
Not got an account?
Register to continue

Contact details:

Please contact the coordinator:
Ms J Peck
janine.peck1@nhs.net
mailto:janine.peck1@nhs.net

Book online

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Partner Centres

Wed
25
Oct
2023
-
Thu
26
Oct
2023
£799.00
LONDON, United Kingdom

25 Oct 2023
-
26 Oct 2023

£799.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £799.00
RCS Affiliates: £639.20
RCS England Associates: £639.20
RCS England Members/Fellows: £639.20

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

LONDON, United Kingdom

Location:

RCS - Bjorn Saven Centre for Surgical Education
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
LONDON
WC2A 3PE
United Kingdom
education@rcseng.ac.uk
020 7869 6300
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Fully Booked

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Fri
27
Oct
2023
-
Sat
28
Oct
2023
£799.00
LONDON, United Kingdom

27 Oct 2023
-
28 Oct 2023

£799.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £799.00
RCS Affiliates: £639.20
RCS England Associates: £639.20
RCS England Members/Fellows: £639.20

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

LONDON, United Kingdom

Location:

RCS - Bjorn Saven Centre for Surgical Education
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
LONDON
WC2A 3PE
United Kingdom
education@rcseng.ac.uk
020 7869 6300
View in Google Maps

Book online

Book online

Have an account?

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Book online

Have an account?

It's even easier when you login

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Continue to Booking
Tue
21
Nov
2023
-
Wed
22
Nov
2023
£799.00
LONDON, United Kingdom

21 Nov 2023
-
22 Nov 2023

£799.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £799.00
RCS Affiliates: £639.20
RCS England Associates: £639.20
RCS England Members/Fellows: £639.20

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

LONDON, United Kingdom

Location:

RCS - Bjorn Saven Centre for Surgical Education
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
LONDON
WC2A 3PE
United Kingdom
education@rcseng.ac.uk
020 7869 6300
View in Google Maps

Book online

Book online

Have an account?

It's even easier when you login

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Don't worry, continue and we'll create an account for you.

Continue to Booking

Book online

Have an account?

It's even easier when you login

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Continue to Booking

International Centres

Fri
17
Nov
2023
-
Sat
18
Nov
2023
600€
University of Thessaly

17 Nov 2023
-
18 Nov 2023

600€

Pricing notes:

Full price: 600€

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

University of Thessaly

Location:

IASO Thessalias Hospital
8th klm O.N.R.
41500 LARISSA
Greece
bss.greece@gmail.com
00306 937220320

Instructions:

Ms E Kokoti, bss.greece@gmail.com, 00306 937220320
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Booking details

Pricing notes:

Full price: 600€

Before booking at the centre, please follow these steps:

Have an account?
Please login Please login
Not got an account?
Register to continue

Contact details:

Please contact the coordinator:
Ms E Kokoti
bss.greece@gmail.com
mailto:bss.greece@gmail.com

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Fri
24
Nov
2023
-
Sat
25
Nov
2023
INR 25000/-
Symbiosis Centre for Health Skills (SCHS)

24 Nov 2023
-
25 Nov 2023

INR 25000/-

Pricing notes:

Full price: INR 25000/-

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

Symbiosis Centre for Health Skills (SCHS)

Location:

Symbiosis Centre for Health Skills (SCHS)
Senapati Bapat Road
PUNE 411004
India
drparag@sihspune.org
91 9822040971

Instructions:

Dr P Rishipathak, drparag@sihspune.org, 91 9822040971, For details contact Mr. Atul Saraf +91 9604601595 or visit www.schs.edu.in
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Booking details

Pricing notes:

Full price: INR 25000/-

Before booking at the centre, please follow these steps:

Have an account?
Please login Please login
Not got an account?
Register to continue

Contact details:

Please contact the coordinator:
Dr P Rishipathak
drparag@sihspune.org
https://schs.edu.in/assets/pdf/2023/BSS.pdf

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Sat
25
Nov
2023
-
Sun
26
Nov
2023
INR 25000
MGM Medical College

25 Nov 2023
-
26 Nov 2023

INR 25000

Pricing notes:

Full price: INR 25000

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

MGM Medical College

Location:

MGM Medical College & Hospital
Sector 1, Kamothe
NAVI MUMBAI- 410209
India
skillslabnm@mgmmcnm.edu.in
+919820643638

Instructions:

Nitesh Kadam, skillslabnm@mgmmcnm.edu.in, +919820643638, Additional Contact: 9823066285 shekhar1971@gmail.com
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Booking details

Pricing notes:

Full price: INR 25000

Before booking at the centre, please follow these steps:

Have an account?
Please login Please login
Not got an account?
Register to continue

Contact details:

Please contact the coordinator:
Nitesh Kadam
skillslabnm@mgmmcnm.edu.in
mailto:skillslabnm@mgmmcnm.edu.in

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Register your interest

Further information and queries

Email

Phone us

Call 020 7869 6300 to talk with a member of our team. 

We are available to answer calls during our working hours of 8.30am–5:00pm, Monday–Friday and there is a voicemail outside this time.