Mike Parker

The new MRCS: changes from 2008

In the 1990s the MRCS examination succeeded the original FRCS examination because of changes in surgical training. Since then several factors have caused the surgical royal colleges to review the MRCS: the introduction of run-through and core surgical training instead of basic surgical training (BST); earlier specialisation; less exposure to the range of surgical specialties; and the development of the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP).

the International Advisory Board at the Royal College of Surgeons

The International Advisory Board (IAB) was created at the College in 2009 to coordinate and enhance the Colleges international activities. At the outset the question was posed as to whether we pursue an active overseas strategy? We believe the answer is a resounding yes. Nearly 25 per cent of our membership is from overseas. We believe we owe all our members a commitment not only to advance standards of healthcare within the UK but also across the world.

the 2013 MRCS examination: an update

The Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) has, with the approval of the General Medical Council (GMC), driven the continued evolution of the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS). Since the introduction in September 2008 of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) – Part B of the MRCS – there have been a number of changes and the first diet of the latest version was held in February 2013.

The Aggregation of Marginal Gains

In April 2011, a major paper in Gut analysed data from the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) and was able to provide for the first time risk-adjusted unit-level mortality rates for colorectal cancer surgery. This breakthrough study identified several outlying units – one of which (The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust) was found to be doing significantly better than expected. Mike Parker, President of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, visited the trust to try to learn the secrets of their success.