Charity to launch surgical "twinning"

A charity which aims to twin every British plastic surgery unit with one in a developing country has been launched in the UK.

Set up by consultant plastic surgeon Barbara Jemec, the British Foundation for International Reconstructive Surgery and Training (BFIRST) has already sent UK surgeons to Cambodia and is planning to work with other countries such as Myanmar and Bangladesh to deliver training and surgical skills to local medics, ensuring that everyone has access to expert surgical care.

With deformities and traumatic injuries often resulting in social exclusion, poverty and destitution, BFIRST not only trains surgeons on location, but also ensures that the training has practical longevity and is tailored to the resources available.

Training packages also incorporate training for surgeons’ staff, such as nurses and therapists, enabling the medical and surgical team to provide holistic care for all patients.