A new centre in the West Midlands is set to transform surgical education and professional development across the UK.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) has officially opened the doors to its newly relocated Regional Centre in Birmingham, marking a major advancement for surgical training in the UK. Located in the historic Walker Building in Digbeth, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to serve as a hub for education, exams, and professional development, with a strong focus on supporting surgeons throughout their careers, including those working in aesthetic medicine.
The grand opening, held on May 29, was led by the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, His Majesty’s representative in the region. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together College leaders, local clinicians, and influential figures who have helped shape the future of surgical education in the region. Attendees were treated to the premiere of Operating as One, a short film outlining the vision for the new centre.
Though headquartered in Edinburgh, RCSEd boasts over 15,000 members across the UK. Since the launch of its Birmingham centre in 2015, the College has steadily expanded its presence in England. The new Walker Building facility reflects RCSEd’s evolution from a satellite outreach centre to a fully integrated regional hub, offering enhanced access to courses, exams, and tailored support for members across surgical disciplines, including aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
Speaking at the launch, RCSEd President Professor Rowan Parks praised Birmingham’s longstanding role in surgical innovation, citing figures such as Dorothy Geddes, the first woman to receive the Fellowship in Dental Surgery, and Professor Sir John Temple, renowned for his contributions to surgical education at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Their portraits now hang in the Walker Building, symbolising the city’s deep-rooted legacy in shaping modern surgery.
“We’re incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic building to support our Members and Fellows in Birmingham,” said Professor Parks. “We aspire to support surgeons through every stage of their careers with the facilities in the Walker Building. We anticipate increasing the number of courses and exams run here in the years to come and growing our network of partnerships across the region.”
For those in aesthetic practice, where ongoing training, surgical precision, and patient safety are paramount, the new centre represents an exciting opportunity, underscoring the College’s commitment to raising standards across the sector.
