Advertise on podcast: RCOG

TOG Editors Jennifer Davies, Deborah Bruce and Natalie Medley discuss the evidence base underpinning the WHO's cervical cancer elimination strategy and highlight novel approaches to the prevention, detection and treatment of cervical disease.

What does it take to build an internationally recognised surgical career? Is there a single route to success, or do the best opportunities come from embracing the unexpected? In this episode, we are joined by Professor Jan Deprest, a world-leading surgeon whose career spans fetal surgery, urogynaecology, research, innovation and surgical education across both Belgium and the UK. Together, we discuss how to develop a fulfilling surgical career, the importance of mentorship, research and international collaboration, and why innovation begins with asking the right questions. We also explore how different healthcare systems approach surgical training, the growing role of simulation and competency-based progression, and what UK trainees can learn from training models across Europe. Whether you're considering an academic career, interested in advanced surgery, or simply looking for inspiration on how to shape your own career, this episode offers practical advice and insights from one of the pioneers of modern surgical innovation.

What happens when learners and educators come together to rethink how we teach surgery? In this episode, RCOG Surgical Skills Fellows Naomi Harvey and Hannah Pierce are joined by Paul Mills, Rachel O'Donnell and Kyle Fleischer to reflect on the inaugural RCOG Surgical Train the Trainers pilot. Hear first-hand what made the course different, why investing in surgical educators has never been more important, and how this new national programme aims to strengthen surgical training across the UK. Through practical teaching strategies, shared experiences and reflections from both learners and educators, discover why participants believe developing excellent trainers is fundamental to developing the next generation of surgeons. Whether you're an educator, trainee or educational leader, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the RCOG Surgical Skills Project's newest national initiatives.

In this episode, Hannah and Naomi turn the tables and put the RCOG's Vice President for Education and Academia, Melanie Tipples, and Executive Director for Education, Carly Edwards, in the hot seat to answer the difficult questions they are asked time and time again by trainees. Together, they demystify who is responsible for key aspects of training — including curricula, study budgets, simulation, hysterectomy training, course costs and workforce planning — offering an honest insight into how decisions are made and what the future of surgical education could look like.

Are the challenges facing surgical trainees unique to O&G, or is the grass really greener in general surgery? In this episode, Hannah and Naomi are joined by Mr Raiyyan Aftab, Immediate Past President of the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) and a General Surgical Trainee in Plastic Surgery, to explore the shared realities of surgical training across the UK. Together, they discuss the findings of the ASiT State of Training report, the increasing pressures of service provision, reduced operative exposure, and the balance between training and service delivery. The conversation explores whether the challenges identified through the RCOG Surgical Skills Project are unique to O&G or shared across the wider surgical community, and how organisations such as ASiT and the RCOG can work together to improve surgical education and support the next generation of surgeons. This episode is essential listening for trainees, trainers, education leads, and anyone with an interest in the future of surgical training.

In this practical and thought-provoking episode, hosts Hannah Pierce and Naomi Harvey are joined by Mr James Tibbott, Mr Artur Zanellato, and Mr Srinivas Chintapallata to explore new approaches to surgical education and the future of training. Together, they discuss the value of collaboration between gynaecology and general surgery, the growing challenges facing surgical education, and how training can evolve to better prepare the next generation of surgeons. The conversation highlights the importance of teaching not only technical skills, but also decision-making, operative judgement, problem-solving, and confidence in theatre. This episode is essential listening for O&G professionals, trainees, trainers, and education leads interested in innovative ways to improve surgical learning and support the future workforce.

In this honest and empowering episode, hosts Hannah Pierce and Naomi Harvey are joined by Ms Nuha Yassin to explore one of the most common yet least openly discussed challenges in medicine: imposter syndrome. A Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Birmingham, Dr Yassin shares her personal experiences of self-doubt throughout training and leadership, and how she learned to navigate those feelings while building a pioneering career in robotic and minimally invasive surgery. This episode is essential listening for O&G professionals, trainees, and anyone who has ever questioned whether they are 'good enough' — offering reassurance, perspective, and practical tools to thrive in surgery with confidence.

In this energising and insightful episode, hosts Hannah Pierce and Naomi Harvey are joined by Dr Tracy-Louise Appleyard OBE — the podcast’s first OBE recipient — to explore how military medicine can transform the way we lead, train and make decisions in healthcare. A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at North Bristol NHS Trust and Defence Consultant Adviser in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the Royal Army Medical Services, Dr Appleyard brings decades of experience from both the NHS and military environments. She shares how service life shaped her ability to make clear decisions under pressure, understand consequence, and lead teams through uncertainty. The conversation explores why decisiveness matters, how human factors can make healthcare safer, and what it takes to create psychologically safe teams in high-pressure environments. Dr Appleyard also shares memorable lessons on protecting your “life units”, setting boundaries, and recognising when stress is about perception rather than reality.

In this inspiring episode, hosts Hannah Pierce and Naomi Harvey are joined by Dr Amy Keightley to discuss how innovation, leadership, and ambition can transform surgical opportunities beyond tertiary centres. Working at Great Western Hospital, Dr Keightley shares her journey into gynaecological oncology, her experience in a unit-led gynae-oncology role, and how she established a CMR robotic surgery service within a district general hospital. She explores the challenges of introducing advanced technology in a non-tertiary setting and why access to complex surgery should not be limited by geography.

In this reflective and energising episode of Knot to be Missed: the RCOG Surgical Skills Podcast, hosts Hannah Pierce and Naomi Harvey are joined by Dr Simon Frazer, paediatrician and founder of Doctors Training, to explore what makes training meaningful, sustainable and human. Simon shares his journey from clinical paediatrics into medical education, including the importance of finding the 'extra thing' that brings joy and longevity to a medical career. The conversation explores how doctors can move beyond tick-box supervision towards real mentoring, why trainers need time and support to train well, and how simple conversations — often over coffee — can transform feedback, confidence and progression. Together, they discuss the pressures facing trainees and trainers, the need to invest in educators, how to handle difficult conversations constructively, and why professional sustainability starts with boundaries, reflection and self-care.

In this episode, hosts Hannah Pierce and Naomi Harvey are joined by Dr Sarah Maling to explore how innovative thinking can unlock new surgical training opportunities. Dr Maling shares how she helped create access to high-volume surgical training outside traditional NHS settings, ensuring trainees could continue to gain hands-on operative experience safely and effectively. Her work offers valuable lessons for all specialties facing reduced theatre exposure and increasing pressure on training opportunities. Together, they discuss what happens when clinical demand shifts away from traditional training environments, and how educators can respond with practical, collaborative solutions that protect both patient care and trainee development.

In this episode, hosts Hannah Pierce and Naomi Harvey speak with Dr Rebecca McKay, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and the associate dean for abortion training, about the future of surgical abortion training in the UK. They explore how abortion care has evolved, what this means for current and future trainees, and the dual need for emergency skills and a elective sustainable consultant workforce. Dr McKay shares her vision for improving access to training—particularly in collaboration with the independent sector—and outlines practical solutions to current barriers. An insightful listen for anyone interested in shaping inclusive, competent, and future-ready abortion care services.

Every surgeon remembers their first truly unwell patient — the adrenaline, the uncertainty, the weight of getting it right. Miss Christine Ang joins us to talk about how CCrISP and emergency simulation give trainees the closest thing to experience before the real crisis hits. Christine shares what she’s learned from directing the course, the barriers trainees face in the current system, and why simulation isn’t a 'nice extra' — it’s essential preparation for the realities of modern practice. Whether you’re early in training or decades into your career, this episode will change the way you think about emergency care.

O&G staff are commonly exposed to psychologically traumatic events at work. In some cases, these experiences can trigger post-traumatic stress symptoms. Pauline explains the key set of symptoms that characterise post-traumatic stress and the impact these symptoms can have on organisations, staff and the patients in their care. Laura Goodfellow offers a detailed overview of the Good Practice Paper, which provides a framework for the prevention, identification and treatment of PTSS symptoms. She discusses how this supports employers to minimise the impact of traumatic events on staff, and ultimately to improve patient care. Laura Goodfellow and Pauline worked alongside colleagues Andrew Weeks, Kaylee Shean and Helen Spiby to co-author the RCOG Good Practice Paper on the prevention and treatment of work-related post-traumatic stress symptoms in the maternity and gynaecology workforce. In this episode, they speak to Laura Hipple about post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in the O&G workforce and delve into the content of the paper. We'd like to give a content warning for this episode, which discusses themes of work-related trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms throughout. If this topic is triggering for you, you may wish to listen to one of our other podcasts instead.

In this episode, Laura Hipple and Kirsty Dundas discuss the value of peer support in our specialty. Kirsty shares insight into the peer support initiative in place at NHS Lothian in Scotland, which is offered to staff affected by adverse events in obstetrics and gynaecology. Kirsty explains what peer support is and what it isn’t, provides an overview of how it was set up in NHS Lothian, and reflects on why peer support initiatives are invaluable to supporting staff. We'd like to give a content warning for this episode, as it touches on the themes of trauma and adverse events. If these topics are triggering for you, you may wish to listen to one of our other podcasts.