Due to the current rise in COVID-19 infections, which has led to new lockdown restrictions and increased pressure on the health services in the UK and Ireland, the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) and the four Surgical Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom and in Ireland have taken the difficult decision to cancel […]
“We absolutely must vaccinate as many people as we can, as fast as we possibly can. In the meantime, tougher restrictions are our best line of defence. I know how hard this is, but I cannot emphasise enough just how important it is to stay at home and follow all restrictions. Only these measures can reduce transmission and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.”
We are at a very worrying time in the pandemic: the novel variant of SARS-CoV-2 which has a much faster growth rate is rapidly spreading across the UK at a time when services are already stretched by winter pressures. It is imperative that the number of patients and healthcare staff vaccinated is increased as quickly as possible.
Our College welcomes the news of the approval of the Astra Zeneca vaccine as announced today (Wednesday 30th December) in the UK. It brings new hope at the end of a long, difficult year. The AZ vaccine will be a game changer and will allow greater numbers of people to be vaccinated in a shorter […]
“The NHS and social care across Scotland are now on an emergency footing, with services already severely stretched. The new strain is highly infectious and will undoubtedly increase the rate of COVID-19 infection and hospital admissions in the days and weeks ahead. We are gravely concerned that this could lead to the NHS being overwhelmed.”
In this personal blog, College President Professor Jackie Taylor writes on the coronavirus vaccine and the proposed relaxation of lockdown rules in the UK over the Christmas period. At the top of my Christmas wish list this year was an effective Coronavirus Vaccine (yes – perhaps I do need to get out more, but you will see […]
In this guest post, Emma O’Keefe, Consultant in Dental Health, NHS Fife and South East Scotland (including NHS Lothian) is keen to share her experiences in relation to managing COVID-19 incidents in the dental setting. Who would have known when primary care dentistry closed their doors in March the situation we would be in as […]
Individuals with negative LFTAg results should still observe social distancing and respiratory hygiene precautions (such as face masks covering the nose and mouth) whilst around others.
This Christmas, please consider very carefully who it is necessary to meet, how long you meet them for and how you can safely do so. Try to minimise crowding, increase ventilation in your homes, wash your hands regularly, observe social distancing and good general hygiene, to further reduce the risks. All of these measures really do make a difference.
Our faculty’s membership has enormous expertise in safely and efficiently delivering vaccines to the public. That’s why I’ve written to the Chief Medical Officers, to ensure that our collective experience is factored into the planning process which is already underway to vaccinate the UK population. Our Fellows, Members and Associate Members stand ready to do all we can to assist all the UK’s governments with the monumental task that lies ahead
