Updated consensus statement on timing of elective surgery following emergence of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2

• Updated: 20 June 2023

The Royal College of Surgeons of England has released an updated joint statement with the Association of Anaesthetists, Centre for Perioperative Care, Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations, Royal College of Anaesthetists on surgery for patients who have previously been infected with COVID-19. This replaces the previous joint statements issued in February 2022 and March 2021.

Following the latest developments on the management of COVID-19, this recent update reduces the recommended timeframe for planned surgery for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 to two weeks, following a risk-benefit assessment for the individual patient, and taking into account the patient’s vaccination status.

We are grateful to the Chair of our Patient and Lay Group, Sue Denmark, and our Vice-President Tim Goodacre for their work as co-authors.

• Read the consensus statement