Education & Training
Sponsored Surgical Observerships
The ALRSGBI-sponsored surgical Observerships programme is designed to facilitate short visits for surgeons to attend another hospital and observe a colleague during a day in the operating theatre.
Purpose of the Programme
The observership scheme aims to provide surgeons with the opportunity to:
- Observe experts and colleagues performing surgery
- Learn new surgical techniques
- Refine existing techniques
- Gain insights into the technical aspects of surgery
- Observe examples of successful service development
- Observe non-technical skills, behaviours, and team dynamics
Who Is the Programme For?
- Established consultant surgeons and anaesthetists
- Senior trainees and fellows
Types of Procedures Observed
The focus is on procedures where in-person observation offers significant educational value beyond recorded videos, including:
- Robotic and laparoscopic surgery
- Common bile duct exploration
- Minimal access oesophagectomy and gastrectomy
- Simple and complex hernia and abdominal wall surgery
- Anterior resection without stoma formation
- Emergency surgery services and hot gallbladder service set-up
Logistics
How the Observerships Will Work
- Host surgeons are recognised experts in particular operative techniques
- Hosts specify suitable days and dates for visits
- Observerships are typically for day visits, with the option of overnight stays
- Visitors contact host surgeons via ALRSGBI
- A maximum of three visitors per observership is suggested
- No costs or travel expenses would be covered by either party
- Study leave, CPD points, or self-development days may be applicable
- Structured feedback will be submitted via the ALRSGBI website and can be used for appraisal purposes
Oversight
Regulation and Governance
- No requirement for honorary contracts or occupational health clearance
- ALRSGBI membership will serve as the credential for participation
- Visitor behaviour will be self-policed
- The ALRSGBI website will host 360-degree feedback mechanisms
Resources
Information Pack & Application Forms
Download the relevant documents below to find out more about the programme or to apply as a host or observer.
Current Hosts
Observership Hosts
The following surgeons are currently available to host observerships. Contact ALRSGBI to arrange a visit.
Stuart Mercer
Portsmouth
- Robotic adrenalectomy
- Robotic common bile duct exploration
- Robotic upper GI cancer surgery
- Emergency cholecystectomy service
Altaf Awan / Imran Bhatti
Derby
- Laparoscopic and robotic bile duct exploration
- Laparoscopic and robotic abdominal wall hernia surgery
- Emergency groin hernia surgery
Ahmed Elshaer
Bradford Teaching Hospitals
- Robotic bariatric surgery
- Robotic hiatal hernia surgery
- Robotic oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery