THURSDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER, 2025

Photograph attached: Members of the NHS Tayside General Surgery team, alongside current Registrars.

East of Scotland General Surgery training top in the UK for overall satisfaction

The East of Scotland Registrar training programme for General Surgery, which includes teaching at NHS Tayside, has been ranked the best in the UK for overall satisfaction for training for the second year in a row.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has named the team as top in the UK, following feedback from NHS Tayside trainee doctors.

Each year trainee doctors are asked to take part in the National Training Survey which enquires about various aspects of their training programme. This year the East of Scotland Registrar training programme for General Surgery scored 95% for overall satisfaction.

NHS Tayside Consultant General and Colorectal surgeon Claire Carden runs the training programme, she said, “We are absolutely delighted that our region’s General Surgery training programme has once again been recognised as the best in the UK.

“This achievement reflects a huge team effort from consultant colleagues, excellent nursing teams on the ward, in the operating theatres and in clinic, and an enthusiastic management team who together create the very best learning environment for our doctors in training.

“Credit must also go to our fantastic trainees who work so hard for the good of our patients and embrace every opportunity to develop their skills. Whilst we celebrate the achievement, the team remain committed to continue to improve and produce the best consultant surgeons we can.”

Resident Doctor, Ramy Shaalan, said, “The East of Scotland Registrar training programme for General Surgery is an outstanding place to learn, and I would like to thank all of our trainers for their time and support.

“It’s no surprise the programme is ranked top in the UK, as the team consistently go above and beyond for us.

“Over the past six years, I have felt challenged, supported and cared for. I will always be proud to say, ‘I was made in Tayside’.”

Resident Doctor, Adarsh Shah said, “I have rotated through three different programmes during my surgical training and the East of Scotland training programme stands out for a number of reasons. There is a breadth of elective and emergency general surgical experience with training at the very heart of all clinical activities.

“I am actively encouraged to develop my portfolio through academic and leadership opportunities. The provision of an excellent Skills Centre with expert in-house and visiting faculty adds value to my training. I feel respected as a colleague and my contributions valued by the department".

Contact:

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NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 74071