RCS England Surgical Skills Courses

Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) Course in Manchester

Our Basic Surgical Skills course in Manchester is the official Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) BSS programme, taught at PLAB Guide Training Centre in Levenshulme. Over two practical days you learn the safe, standard techniques every surgical trainee is expected to master: gowning and gloving, surgical knots, suturing, instrument and tissue handling, and the principles of safe laparoscopic surgery. It is designed for foundation doctors, core surgical trainees and doctors preparing for MRCS Part B or core surgical training interviews.

  • Official RCS England Basic Surgical Skills course
  • Two face-to-face days, 9am to 5pm
  • Pre-course e-learning before the first day
  • Small groups with close faculty feedback
  • Aligned with the BSS module of the core surgical training sy
  • 12 CPD points
  • For FY1–FY3, CT1–CT2, SCPs and MRCS Part B candidates
  • Free dedicated parking at the centre

Course summary

Qualification
Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) certificate
Duration
2-day blended course
Format
Blended
Location
Manchester
CPD
12
Price
£520.83
Next date
Thursday 14 – Friday 15 January 2027

Basic surgical skills training in Manchester for doctors starting a surgical career

Good surgical technique starts with habits learned early. On our BSS course in Manchester you practise the fundamentals on models and workshop materials, with faculty demonstrating each skill step by step and then coaching you as you practise. You leave with techniques you can take straight into theatre and keep building on through your training.

Most core surgical trainees are expected to complete BSS during core training, and it is a practical way to strengthen a core surgical training application and prepare for the procedural knowledge tested in MRCS Part B.

Complete the RCS England pre-course e-learning before day one, so choose a date below that leaves you time to finish it.

Why take BSS with PLAB Guide in Manchester

PLAB Guide Training Centre is a Royal College of Surgeons of England approved centre, already hosting the ATLS® Provider and Reverification courses, and a Resuscitation Council UK and ALSG approved centre for resuscitation training.

  • Small groups: close faculty supervision, so you get feedback on every skill.
  • Weekday dates: Thursday and Friday courses that fit study leave.
  • Easy to reach: free dedicated parking and good road and public transport links from across the North West.
  • Employer-funded places: your trust or deanery can pay directly, with a purchase order or invoice if needed.

Further reading

Upcoming BSS course dates in Manchester

More dates

Thursday 15 – Friday 16 April 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 24 weeks

16 places available
£520.83
Book this date

Thursday 17 – Friday 18 June 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 33 weeks

16 places available
£520.83
Book this date

Thursday 15 – Friday 16 July 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 37 weeks

16 places available
£520.83
Book this date

Thursday 16 – Friday 17 September 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 46 weeks

16 places available
£520.83
Book this date

Thursday 14 – Friday 15 October 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 50 weeks

16 places available
£520.83
Book this date

Choosing a date takes you straight to booking with that date selected.

Course overview

Basic Surgical Skills is the Royal College of Surgeons of England course that introduces safe, standard surgical technique. It is the foundation that later specialty skills courses build on, and it is aligned with the basic surgical skills module of the core surgical training syllabus.

Before the course

After booking you register with RCS England (you need an RCS England contact number) and complete the pre-course e-learning. It introduces the instruments, knots and techniques you will practise, so the face-to-face days can focus on hands-on work.

The two practical days

Each skill is demonstrated, then practised in small groups with continuous faculty feedback. Day one builds core theatre and handling skills; day two moves on to more complex suturing, excision technique and the principles of laparoscopic surgery.

Who this course is for

BSS is for doctors at the start of a surgical career who want a safe, standard technique from day one, and for anyone preparing for core surgical training interviews or MRCS Part B who wants practical skills to back up their knowledge.

Medical students and theatre staff who are just starting out should book our one-day Surgical Skills for Students and Health Professionals (SSSHP) course instead.

Who should attend

  • Foundation doctors (FY1–FY3) planning a surgical career
  • Core surgical trainees (CT1–CT2)
  • Doctors preparing for MRCS Part B or core surgical training interviews
  • International medical graduates entering UK surgical training
  • Surgical Care Practitioners and Surgical First Assistants (BSS can meet their intraoperative skills syllabus requirement)
  • Healthcare professionals building or refreshing essential surgical skills

Entry requirements

  • You need an RCS England contact number (unique ID) to book. If you do not have one, register with RCS England first.
  • Complete the RCS England pre-course e-learning before the first day.
  • The booking form asks for your professional body and registration number (for example GMC), your workplace and your role.

What you will learn

  • Practise safe theatre conduct, including scrubbing, gowning and gloving
  • Handle and use common surgical instruments correctly and safely
  • Tie secure hand and instrument knots
  • Place interrupted, mattress and continuous sutures with good tissue handling
  • Give local anaesthetic safely and excise a simple skin lesion
  • Describe and demonstrate the basic principles of safe laparoscopic surgery
  • Apply safe surgical practice for the patient, yourself and the theatre team

Course content

  1. 1 Theatre safety and preparation

    Safe conduct in the operating theatre: scrubbing, gowning and gloving, skin preparation and draping, and safe handling of sharps.

    By the end of this part you will be able to:

    • Scrub, gown and glove without contaminating the field
    • Handle and pass sharps safely

  2. 2 Instruments and tissue handling

    How to hold and use common surgical instruments correctly, and how to handle tissue gently and precisely.

    By the end of this part you will be able to:

    • Hold scalpels, forceps, scissors and needle holders correctl
    • Handle tissue with minimal trauma

  3. 3 Knot tying

    Secure one- and two-handed knots, instrument ties and surgeon's knots, practised until they are reliable.

    By the end of this part you will be able to:

    • Tie secure hand and instrument knots
    • Choose the right knot for the situation

  4. 4 Suturing

    Interrupted, mattress and continuous suturing, with guidance on choosing sutures and needles.

    By the end of this part you will be able to:

    • Place interrupted, mattress and continuous sutures
    • Choose an appropriate suture and needle

  5. 5 Local anaesthesia and minor procedures

    Safe infiltration of local anaesthetic, excision of a simple skin lesion and closure of the wound.

    By the end of this part you will be able to:

    • Calculate and give a safe local anaesthetic dose
    • Excise a simple lesion and close the defect

  6. 6 Principles of laparoscopic surgery

    An introduction to safe endoscopic surgery on box trainers: ports, camera handling and instrument control.

    By the end of this part you will be able to:

    • Describe the principles of safe port placement
    • Coordinate camera and instruments on a box trainer

  7. 7 Review and feedback

    Consolidation of each skill, with individual feedback from faculty and advice on continuing practice after the course.

    By the end of this part you will be able to:

    • Identify your own areas for further practice

Course format

Duration
2-day blended course
Delivery
Pre-course e-learning, then two days of hands-on practical workshops
Online learning
RCS England pre-course e-learning
Classroom
9am – 5pm on both days

Assessment

How you are assessed
You are observed and given feedback on each skill throughout the two days, against the RCS England BSS course standards.
Practical assessment
Faculty observe your knots, suturing, tissue handling and laparoscopic tasks on models and workshop materials.

Certification

Requirements
Complete the pre-course e-learning and attend both days. Your RCS England BSS certificate is downloadable from your RCS England account after the course.

Training near you

PLAB Guide Training Centre delivers Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) Course in Manchester, convenient for learners travelling from Levenshulme, Longsight, Burnage, Gorton, Didsbury and surrounding areas.

Related courses

You may also like

Alternatives

See all RCS England Surgical Skills Courses

Frequently asked questions

How much does the BSS course in Manchester cost?
The course fee is £520.83 + VAT, so £625 in total including VAT. The fee is shown beside each date and VAT is added at checkout. Your employer or deanery can pay directly, with a purchase order or invoice if needed.
Is BSS mandatory for core surgical training?
Most core surgical training programmes expect trainees to complete BSS during core training, and many list it on their review checklists. Check the requirements of your own programme.
What is the difference between BSS and SSSHP?
BSS is the two-day course for doctors in, or about to enter, surgical training. SSSHP is a one-day introduction for medical students and theatre staff. If you are a doctor planning a surgical career, book BSS.
Do I need an RCS England number to book?
Yes. Register free on the RCS England website if you do not have a contact number (unique ID), then enter it on the booking form.
Does BSS help with MRCS Part B?
BSS teaches the practical techniques behind knots, suturing and minor procedures, which supports the procedural knowledge tested in MRCS Part B and gives you something concrete to discuss at core surgical training interviews.
Can foundation doctors take BSS?
Yes. FY1–FY3 doctors planning a surgical career are welcome, and many take BSS before applying for core surgical training.
How many CPD points does BSS carry?
The RCS England Basic Surgical Skills course carries 12 CPD points. Keep your certificate and a short reflection for your portfolio and appraisal.
Is there parking at the training centre?
Yes. The centre has free dedicated parking, and there is free on-road parking nearby. The venue on Moseley Road in Levenshulme is easy to reach by road and public transport.

Ready to book?

The next date with places is Thursday 14 – Friday 15 January 2027

Book now