Confederation of British Surgery: Manifesto

The Confederation of British Surgery (CBS) is the UK’s only trade union specifically established to care for surgeons and the entire surgical community. CBS recognises that the operating theatre is a unique and complex working environment, where highly skilled teams operate under intense pressure, with significant emotional and physical demands.

We appreciate that the closed, high-stakes nature of this environment can amplify stress for individuals and teams, creating a clear need for robust guidance, advocacy, and support. Unlike other medical specialties, surgical training must take place not only on wards and outpatient areas but also in the highly charged atmosphere of the operating theatre. 

CBS is committed to providing a unified professional voice and integrated psychological support to safeguard the wellbeing, resilience, and long-term sustainability of those working within the surgical environment.

This manifesto sets out our commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of surgeons and the entire surgical team.

Specialty support for members in difficulty

We are firmly of the opinion that every member of the surgical team should be able to access support in times of difficulty, whatever the cause. As such, we ensure our members have access to confidential, job-specific advice, support, resources, and advocacy. We also advocate for a workplace culture that allows people to seek or access support without fear of judgement or prejudice.

The prioritisation and improvement of training

CBS recognises the crucial importance of training and the need to provide both pastoral and professional support for all those embarking on a career in surgery.

The loss of the “firm structure” and the imposition of working hours regulations have had an enormous impact on training opportunities. CBS recognises this and is committed to investigating alternative training methodologies. These might include simulation, the use of the independent sector, dedicated lists and goal directed study leave.

Improvement of the working environment

CBS is committed to ensuring that all surgical teams work in a safe, supportive workplace. This must form the bedrock of the NHS. We support the call for robust action to tackle workplace culture, bullying, and harassment, and to ensure that the provision of resources aligns with this. Furthermore, we call for a cultural shift, one which offers stronger reporting systems in cases of misconduct; robust sanctions; and a focus on building a supportive and respectful environment.

Protecting surgeons and the surgical teams’ wellbeing

CBS will provide representation and support for its members who often work long and unsocial hours, impacting both their own wellbeing and that of their families. We call for structured opportunities for sabbaticals, rest, and recovery; the implementation of policies which focus solely on surgical teams’ health and wellbeing, such as reduction of on-call duties after the age of 55; and the recognition of wellbeing as essential to safe, sustainable practice.

The safeguarding and/or recovery of terms and conditions

CBS recognises that the wellbeing of the surgical team, and their clinical efficiency is dependant on a number of factors outside the confines of the operating theatre.

The surgical team should have ready access to convenient parking both during the day and during unsocial hours, and should have easy access to a private space with computer access, changing, shower and toilet facilities.  The surgical on call team should have 24-hour access to hot meals and rest areas.

We call for the reinstatement of these provisions and argue that in considering and protecting the wellbeing of the surgeons and the surgical team, we are directly improving patient outcomes. The working environment is simply not good enough. We will continue to campaign for change.

Please join CBS, together we can make a difference