Professional standards for surgeons
Good surgical practice
The publications sets out standards for all surgeons and their practice. It has been developed by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in consultation with members and fellows, patients, surgical royal colleges and surgical specialty associations and reflects the profession’s expectation of all competent surgeons. It follows the headings of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice and interprets the generic standards of the GMC guidance in the context of surgery.
Good surgical practice applies to all surgeons, regardless of specialty, grade or whether they practise in the NHS or in the private sector. Surgeons should use their judgement when applying these standards to their professional circumstances.
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Duty of candour
This document provides guidance on both the professional and the statutory duty of candour for surgeons and their employers. It makes recommendations on how to communicate with patients who have suffered harm and how to support them. It also highlights the need to provide early support to surgeons and surgical teams who have been involved in harm, as a vital part of safety management and avoiding harmful incidents in the future.
Although this guidance has been developed mainly for surgeons and their employers, most of its recommendations are applicable to all medical specialties.