RCS England responds to the inaugural Annual Report of the British Hernia Society Registry (BHSR)

Commenting on the inaugural Annual Report of the British Hernia Society Registry (BHSR), Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: 

“We welcome this first annual report of the British Hernia Society Registry as an important step towards improving patient safety and improving understanding of long-term outcomes following hernia surgery. 

“Baroness Cumberlege's First Do No Harm report called for national registries to support the long-term monitoring of implantable medical devices. RCS England has long supported this approach, having recommended a central database for implanted devices, patients and surgeons in its evidence to the Cumberlege review. 

“We encourage providers and surgeons to participate so this registry can become a valuable national resource, supporting research and improvements in clinical practice leading to better care for patients.” 

ENDS

Notes to editors 
1. Find out more about the British Hernia Society Registry here: British Hernia Society Registry - Information for Surgeons - British Hernia Society 
2. Baroness Cumberlege's independent medicines and medical devices safety review, First Do No Harm (2020): First Do No Harm 
3. RCS England’s Commission on the Future of Surgery recommended in 2018 that “A UK-wide registry should be established to track new devices. Implantable devices should have long-term monitoring in a register akin to the breast implant registry. These developments should involve expertise from the royal colleges.” 
4. RCS England backs Cumberlege recommendation for medical implant database: First Do No Harm: Surgeons back Cumberlege call for a database of medical implants — Royal College of Surgeons 
5. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.   
6. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6047; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.