SURGICAL EXPERTISE PROGRAMME
What is the Surgical Expertise Programme?
The Surgical Expertise Programme is a simple, immediate step that can transform the future: training and upskilling new surgical experts in world-class hospitals.
Ovarian cancer surgical trainees take part in an observational fellowship and can then return to their hospital with the skills and confidence to improve treatment options for women locally.
Why did Ovarian Cancer Action start the Surgical Expertise Programme?
Ovarian cancer is a complex disease. Around 7,500 women are diagnosed each year in the UK, and far too many don’t survive five years. But where a woman lives still shapes the care she receives - and whether she survives. That’s why we must make sure surgical expertise reaches every woman who needs it.
Research shows beyond doubt that improving access to surgery will save lives. We aim to improve the sharing of best practices and increase collaboration across different parts of the UK.
If every woman in the UK received the same high-quality care offered in the best hospitals – such as Hammersmith Hospital – 1,000 more women each year would live at least five years beyond their diagnosis.
Why do we need to train and upskill ovarian cancer surgeons?
Ovarian cancer surgery is, by its nature, highly complex. It requires specialist training, experience, and the right set-up to support patients during and after surgery. It needs a multidisciplinary approach – and that level of care simply isn’t available in every hospital.
Some hospitals in the UK treat many more ovarian cancer patients than others. The largest may see around ten times as many patients every year. Survival rates are a postcode lottery, and we want trainees to experience how surgery is done in the hospitals with the best survival rates.
The NHS agrees that this complex surgery is vital for women with ovarian cancer, with new NICE Guidance introduced in 2024.
The skills exist. The knowledge exists. We just need to make them available to every woman, wherever they are treated.
How do you train and upskill the surgeons?
The surgical trainees observe and take part in all activities of the gynaecological cancer team including theatre, clinics and multidisciplinary team meetings, audits and research activities over a two month placement.
The first two trainees were placed at the Hammersmith Hospital, under the oversight of Professor Christina Fotopoulou.
Their placement is then followed by a practical training course where they will get the chance to learn the technical skills needed.
Once the trainees finish their training, they will be offered funding to put what they’ve learnt into practice and improve treatment options for women locally.
Who are the trainees taking part in the Surgical Expertise Programme?
The surgical trainees are UK-based gynae-oncologists towards the end of their training. They take part in the Surgical Expertise Programme before their training ends, and they start a more senior role as a Consultant.
