Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has funded a new Multi-Specialty Fresh-Frozen Cadaver Teaching Course. Working with surgical leads and Training Programme Directors, the deputy Head of the Wales School of Surgery, Miss Sarah Hemington- Gorse developed the training to equip higher surgical trainees with the knowledge and experience needed in the operating theatre.

Over 40 trainees from a variety of specialties including Cardiothoracic, Neurosurgery and Vascular Surgery were taught anatomy and surgical techniques outside of the operating theatre. It is anticipated that following the three day course they will progress more quickly in the theatre environment and increase the speed they gain practical skills. This increased hands-on training will in turn mean that the trainees will be more able to confidently and competently use their skills on patients in their areas of expertise.

Feedback from delegates was 100% positive and they welcomed the opportunity to perform procedures in a stress free, safe environment with support from on hand consultants.

Dr Caroline Evans, Deputy Director for Secondary Care at HEIW said “The cadaveric course has been a fantastic opportunity for trainees and trainers across the surgical specialties to work together outside of the pressured operating environment. We are delighted to hear the positive feedback and the interest generated. Innovative courses like these encourage Doctors to train and stay in Wales. We are grateful to Sarah and all of the surgeons who gave up their time to deliver this.”

Sarah Hemington-Gorse who organised the training with the help of the Doctor’s Academy, said, “Time pressures in the operating theatres over the last few years have impacted operating times for trainees. The fresh frozen tissue, cadveric, course allowed us to address many of the training gaps and gave the trainees across many of the surgical schools time to master techniques and hone their skills in a safe simulated environment.

“These skills will be carried forward into the operating theatre and allow quicker progress for those involved. Due to HEIW’s funding we are the only training deanery in the UK to have been able to offer a multi-disciplinary cadaveric course free of charge to our trainees, it has certainly generated much interest from trainees across the borders and has the potential to be a unique selling point for encouraging people to consider training in Wales in the future. It is hoped that we will be able to offer this on an annual basis to our trainees.”