The Surgical Training Network and associated course aims to translate the lessons learnt in military conflict to the civilian domain while underscoring the wide spread of those affected. The network, established by members of the Centre for the delivery of its inaugural Surgical Training Course (July 2016), is comprised of orthopaedic and trauma surgeons in Cambodia, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, Lebanon, Nigeria, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

There are three important compontents of the Surgical Training Network:

Selection

The cohort of surgeons, recommended for the course by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Exceed-Worldwide (formerly Cambodia Trust), were chosen because of their roles in trauma surgery in countries with a significant burden from landmines.

attendance of the Surgical Training Course

The small cohort of surgeons are trained in specialist, environment-specific and bespoke amputation techniques. The course is led by Professor (Col) Jon Clasper, who has extensive experience of medically treating blast injury victims. The course organiser, Major Taff Edwards, is a trauma surgeon in the Armed Forces, who recently completed an MD(Res) degree at the Centre that examined the effect of blast explosives on the lower limb.

receiving Ongoing follow up

After attending the surgical training course, the surgeons receive formal follow-ups at 6- and 12-month intervals to understand the expansion of the knowledge locally and the changing landscape. They are encouraged to communicate with each other and with the team at the Centre regularly to ensure continued engagement of mutual benefit.

Meet the inaugural (2016) cohort and trainers