Building on the success of our partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) in June, where 24 surgeons were equipped with vital skills to save lives and limbs in conflict zones, we joined forces again this December to train an additional 23 surgeons. Our trauma surgery training in the UK (HEST-UK) aligns with RCSEd’s broader mission to support global healthcare by equipping professionals to address healthcare needs in low-resource or conflict-affected areas.

Designed for medical professionals working in, or preparing to travel to, conflict and disaster zones, our HEST-UK course brought together participants from around the world. Surgeons traveled from as far as Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and the USA to take part in this transformative week of intensive training.

The course provides comprehensive training in surgical techniques for managing injuries frequently encountered in conflict zones, such as blast and shrapnel wounds, with a dedicated focus on Obstetrics and Gynaecology during the final day. Regardless of their specialty, surgeons gain the skills needed to handle complex trauma cases and significantly improve patient outcomes.

This immersive training integrates real-life trauma case presentations from conflict zones like Syria, teaching models designed specifically for our programmes, and hands-on practice using human cadavers, delivering an unparalleled learning experience. 

A Global Effort 

The David Nott Foundation and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh are charitable organisations, and our work is made possible by the generous support of donors and sponsors. We are deeply grateful to The Russell Trust, Essity, BBRAUN, Stryker, and BMA Giving for their invaluable provision of equipment and consumables, which enabled us to deliver this course. 

BMA Giving generously granted £10,000 to cover the costs of specimens and equipment for this training. Given the nature of this project, there was significant interest from individuals working with NGOs and other non-profit organizations, where high course fees often present a barrier to accessing training. Thanks to the support of BMA Giving, we were able to reduce fees, ensuring the course was more accessible to a broader range of participants. 

Empowering Ukrainian Surgeons to Save Lives 

As part of our 2024 localisation efforts in Ukraine, we sponsored three Ukrainian doctors who had previously completed our trauma training courses to attend our Hostile Environment Surgical Training (HEST-UK). This advanced training provided a unique opportunity for them to refine their skills further by practicing on cadavers. They also received dedicated mentorship from our expert faculty, including David Nott, who shared insights drawn from over 30 years of trauma surgery experience in conflict zones. 

Upon returning to Ukraine, these doctors joined our growing local Ukrainian faculty to train more surgeons on the ground during this difficult period. Their newly acquired skills were put to immediate use, with reports of life-saving interventions within days of their return. 

“Just two days ago, I faced a mass casualty incident involving four patients in one hour. Three of them suffered massive hemorrhages from arterial injuries, fractures, and amputations. I was the only surgeon available. The skills and knowledge I gained through the courses offered by the David Nott Foundation saved their lives and their limbs.” – Dr Volodymyr H, Ukrainian General Surgeon

Our most recent training in Ukraine