From the President's Desk
22 September 2025
This week I want to reflect on three important themes shaping our community and remind you of the Unit Representatives meeting on the 26th September 2025.
Standing Firm on Professional Standards
Last week, prompted by the sentencing of a former consultant surgeon, we released our SCTS Statement on Sexual Misconduct. This was also sent to every member. The message is clear: there is no place for such behaviour. Our responsibility is not just to perform at the highest technical level, but also to ensure that we all work in environments of respect, safety, and fairness. This is about culture, accountability, and trust. We are grateful to all who have contributed to shaping this position, and we urge every member to read and share the statement.
A Time of Insecurity for NHS Staff
Many healthcare workers, have expressed unease at a rising sense of hostility towards people of colour. These are again difficult and unsettling times. It seems a while since Sir Mo Farah was embraced by the Union flag. As a community, we must make it clear that our diverse workforce is chosen because of their skills and hard work . Our patients get care from teams that are cohesive, compassionate, and inclusive. We should also remember that whatever the challenges, people working in healthcare remain valued by the populations we serve for our skills, commitment, and compassion.
Investing in Leadership
I was also pleased to see the launch of a new course on Senior Leadership in Management, led by Prof Gill Tierney of ASGBI and our past president Narain Moorjani, supported by the Royal College of Surgeons of England with contributions from Tim Mitchell (President RCS England) and Rana Sayeed (SCTS representative to RCS England). Developing our leadership is vital if we are to meet the challenges ahead, from service transformation to supporting our workforce. Courses like this help ensure that the next generation of cardiothoracic leaders can balance technical excellence with the human skills of management, mentorship, and vision.
Unit Representatives meeting 26.9.25 at No.11 Cavendish Square, King’s Fund in London
We look forward to meeting many of you at the Board of Representatives Meeting (details from emma@scts.org). This important gathering will focus on strengthening SCTS, shaping new clinical projects, and launching our cardiac surgery & anaesthetic transformation programme. Please join in person or online.
We include a keynote talk from Nigel Tai, Defence Professor of Military Surgery & Trauma, who will speak on Health service requirements in the event of conflict in Europe. His talk is timely and reminds us that national resilience must be prepared for and invested in. Cardiothoracic surgery units need to be ready to support the wider NHS and the military defence services should the need arise.
Thank you for all your efforts in “making heart, chest, and lung surgery better”.
Aman S Coonar
SCTS President
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