RCS England Surgical Skills Courses

Surgical Skills for Students and Health Professionals (SSSHP) Course in Manchester

Our SSSHP course in Manchester is the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) one-day introduction to basic surgical skills, taught at PLAB Guide Training Centre in Levenshulme. It is for medical students, early foundation doctors and health professionals who work in theatre or carry out basic knotting and suturing. You practise scrubbing, gowning and gloving, surgical knots, suturing, local anaesthetic and simple excisions, with feedback from experienced surgical faculty.

  • Official RCS England SSSHP course
  • One hands-on Saturday, 9am to 5pm
  • Small groups with experienced surgical faculty
  • One year of RCS England course videos, plus a step-by-step h
  • Eligible students and trainees get 12 months of free RCS Eng
  • For medical students, ODPs, surgical first assistants and al
  • No surgical experience needed
  • Free dedicated parking at the centre

Course summary

Qualification
Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) SSSHP certificate
Duration
1 day
Format
Face-to-face
Location
Manchester
Price
£165.83
Next date
Saturday 23 January 2027

A practical start in surgery for medical students and theatre staff

Many medical students get little hands-on surgical teaching before their first theatre placement or foundation job. Our SSSHP course in Manchester gives you a full day to learn the basics properly, in a supportive setting, so you arrive in theatre knowing how to scrub, handle instruments and close a simple wound.

Courses run on Saturdays, with extra dates in university holidays, so you can attend without missing placements or shifts.

Why take SSSHP 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.

  • Saturday dates: with extra dates in university holidays.
  • Small groups: close faculty feedback on every skill.
  • Easy to reach: free dedicated parking and good links from Greater Manchester's medical schools.
  • Surgical societies: ask us about a group date for your society.

Further reading

Upcoming SSSHP course dates in Manchester

More dates

Saturday 20 February 2027

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

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 20 March 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 21 weeks

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 10 April 2027

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

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 22 May 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 30 weeks

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 19 June 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 34 weeks

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 17 July 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 38 weeks

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 21 August 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 43 weeks

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 18 September 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 47 weeks

16 places available
£165.83
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Saturday 16 October 2027

09:00 – 17:00PLAB Guide Training CentreStarts in 51 weeks

16 places available
£165.83
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Choosing a date takes you straight to booking with that date selected.

Course overview

Surgical Skills for Students and Health Professionals (SSSHP) is the Royal College of Surgeons of England one-day introduction to basic surgical skills. It is designed for people at the very start of surgery or theatre work.

On the day

The course is a practical workshop. Faculty demonstrate each skill, then you practise on models and workshop materials with feedback at every step.

After the course

You keep access to the RCS England course videos for a year, with a companion handbook covering every skill, theatre etiquette and reflective activities, so you can keep practising.

Who this course is for

SSSHP is for anyone starting out in surgery or theatre work who wants to learn basic surgical skills safely and correctly, with no previous experience needed.

Already a doctor in, or about to enter, surgical training? Book our two-day Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) course instead.

Who should attend

  • Medical students, especially those considering surgery
  • Early foundation doctors
  • Operating Department Practitioners
  • Surgical First Assistants and Physician Associates
  • Cardiac physiologists and other allied health professionals moving into a surgical role
  • Surgical Care Practitioners (SSSHP can contribute to their intraoperative skills syllabus)

Entry requirements

  • No previous surgical experience is needed.
  • You need an RCS England contact number (unique ID) to book. Register free with RCS England if you do not have one.

What you will learn

  • Perform surgical handwashing, gowning and double-gloving
  • Prepare and drape the skin for a procedure
  • Tie a range of secure surgical knots
  • Handle basic surgical instruments safely
  • Place interrupted, mattress and subcuticular sutures
  • Give local anaesthetic safely
  • Excise a simple skin lesion and a sebaceous cyst on a model

Course content

  1. 1 Asepsis and theatre preparation

    Surgical handwashing, gowning and double-gloving, then skin preparation and draping for a procedure.

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

    • Scrub, gown and double-glove correctly
    • Prepare and drape a simple operative field

  2. 2 Instruments and knots

    Safe handling of basic surgical instruments and a variety of secure surgical knots.

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

    • Hold and pass basic instruments safely
    • Tie secure hand and instrument knots

  3. 3 Suturing

    Interrupted, mattress and subcuticular suturing on workshop materials, with feedback on technique.

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

    • Place interrupted, mattress and subcuticular sutures
    • Space and tension sutures correctly

  4. 4 Local anaesthetic and excisions

    Safe infiltration of local anaesthetic, then excision of a simple skin lesion and a sebaceous cyst on models.

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

    • Give local anaesthetic safely
    • Excise a skin lesion and a sebaceous cyst on a model

Course format

Duration
1 day
Delivery
Face-to-face practical workshop
Classroom
9am – 5pm

Assessment

How you are assessed
There is no formal exam. Faculty observe your technique and give feedback throughout the day.

Certification

Requirements
Attend the full day and complete the RCS England post-course evaluation to receive your certificate and, if eligible, complimentary RCS England Affiliate Membership.

Training near you

Convenient for medical students at the University of Manchester and other Greater Manchester medical schools.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does the SSSHP course cost?
The course fee is £165.83 + VAT, so £199 in total including VAT. The fee is shown beside each date and VAT is added at checkout.
Do I need any surgical experience?
No. The course starts from the basics and suits complete beginners.
What is the difference between SSSHP and BSS?
SSSHP is a one-day introduction for medical students and health professionals. BSS is a two-day course for doctors in, or about to enter, surgical training. Many people take SSSHP as students and BSS later.
Do I get RCS England Affiliate Membership?
Medical students, foundation and core trainees who complete the course and the RCS England post-course evaluation receive 12 months of complimentary RCS England Affiliate Membership, subject to RCS England rules.
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.
Can our surgical society book a group?
Yes. Contact us with your numbers and preferred dates and we will arrange a group booking for your society.
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 Saturday 23 January 2027

Book now