Glasgow Surgical Forum 2026

The Glasgow Surgical Forum 2026 is an upcoming specialist medical conference taking place from 26 to 27 November 2026 at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Organised by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the event will focus on “Advances in Surgical Oncology: Evidence, Practice and Outcomes.” It is designed to provide an important update for surgeons, oncologists and members of wider surgical and oncology teams.

The two-day conference will bring together leading experts from across the United Kingdom and beyond to examine developments that are influencing modern surgical oncology. The programme will explore recent research, innovative techniques, evidence-based clinical approaches and outcome-focused strategies for improving cancer care.

With 12 CPD points available for attendees, the Glasgow Surgical Forum is also a valuable continuing professional development opportunity for healthcare professionals who want to strengthen their knowledge and remain up to date with developments in surgical oncology.

Focus on Surgical Oncology

Surgical oncology is a constantly developing area of medicine. Advances in diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures, multidisciplinary treatment and cancer research continue to change how patients are assessed and treated.

The Glasgow Surgical Forum provides a dedicated environment for professionals to explore these developments. Instead of focusing on a single surgical specialty, the event brings together professionals with a wider interest in cancer surgery and oncology.

The 2026 theme, “Advances in Surgical Oncology: Evidence, Practice and Outcomes,” reflects the conference's emphasis on connecting research evidence with practical clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.

This is particularly relevant because modern cancer treatment increasingly involves collaboration between surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, specialist nurses and other healthcare professionals. Conferences that bring these groups together can encourage a broader understanding of the patient journey.

Evidence-Based Surgical Practice

One of the key themes of the Glasgow Surgical Forum is the relationship between evidence and clinical practice.

Surgical professionals need to keep up with new research while also considering how emerging evidence applies to individual patients. Clinical decisions may involve several factors, including disease stage, patient health, treatment options, surgical risks and expected outcomes.

The forum provides an opportunity to examine current evidence and discuss how it can influence clinical practice.

For experienced surgeons, this can provide an opportunity to compare current practice with emerging evidence. For trainees, it can offer exposure to the reasoning behind contemporary surgical approaches and help develop a broader understanding of cancer management.

In my view, this evidence-to-practice connection is one of the most valuable elements of a specialist medical conference. Research becomes most useful when clinicians can understand how it may affect decisions in real clinical environments.

Advances in Cancer Surgery

Cancer surgery continues to evolve as surgical teams adopt new techniques and refine established procedures.

The Glasgow Surgical Forum will showcase innovative approaches and developments that are helping to shape modern cancer care. Discussions around surgical techniques can provide delegates with insight into how specialists are addressing complex clinical challenges.

Advances in surgery are not only about new technologies. They can also involve improvements in patient selection, perioperative management, multidisciplinary planning and postoperative care.

The forum's outcome-driven focus encourages delegates to consider not simply whether a technique is innovative, but whether it delivers meaningful benefits for patients.

This perspective is important in modern healthcare, where clinical teams increasingly evaluate treatment approaches according to safety, effectiveness, quality of life and longer-term outcomes.

Multidisciplinary Oncology

Cancer treatment rarely involves one healthcare professional or one medical specialty. Patients may require assessment and treatment from several different teams.

A surgeon may work alongside medical and clinical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, specialist nurses and other healthcare professionals. Effective communication between these groups can be essential when developing an appropriate treatment plan.

The Glasgow Surgical Forum is intended for both surgical and oncology professionals, making multidisciplinary learning an important component of the event.

Participants can gain an understanding of different professional perspectives while considering how surgical treatment fits within wider cancer management.

This type of interaction can also encourage collaboration between departments and institutions. Informal conversations during breaks, presentations and poster sessions can help professionals exchange experiences and learn how different teams approach similar challenges.

Research and Innovation

Medical conferences provide an important platform for sharing research and emerging ideas.

The Glasgow Surgical Forum includes a poster competition, giving professionals an opportunity to present their work to colleagues. The official event page states that abstract submissions are being accepted, with a submission deadline of 23 October 2026.

Poster presentations can cover research findings, clinical projects, service improvements and other work relevant to surgical oncology.

For trainees and early-career professionals, presenting a poster can be particularly valuable. It provides an opportunity to practise communicating research clearly and responding to questions from experienced professionals.

The poster competition also contributes to the academic atmosphere of the conference by giving attendees access to work beyond the main presentation programme.

Continuing Professional Development

The Glasgow Surgical Forum offers 12 CPD points to everyone who attends.

Continuing professional development is an important component of a medical career. Healthcare professionals need to maintain their knowledge and skills as clinical practice, research and treatment approaches develop.

Attending specialist conferences can contribute to structured professional learning while allowing participants to explore subjects directly relevant to their clinical interests.

The College states that CPD points can be claimed through a College account and remain available for up to one month after the conference. Where conference sessions have been recorded, these may also be made available to attendees.

The combination of live learning and potential access to recorded sessions can help delegates reinforce the information presented during the conference.

Who Should Attend?

The Glasgow Surgical Forum has a broad professional audience within surgery and oncology.

General surgeons can benefit from updates covering developments in cancer surgery and evidence-based practice. Specialist surgeons may find the programme useful for exploring developments relevant to their particular fields.

Medical oncologists and clinical oncologists can also benefit from the multidisciplinary focus of the event. Their involvement provides opportunities to consider how surgical approaches interact with other forms of cancer treatment.

The conference is also relevant to members of extended surgical and oncology teams. This can include healthcare professionals involved in patient preparation, perioperative care, recovery and long-term support.

Trainees may find the event particularly useful because specialist conferences provide exposure to current research, expert opinion and practical clinical discussions.

Professional Networking

Networking is another important benefit of attending the Glasgow Surgical Forum.

The conference provides a setting where healthcare professionals from different institutions and specialties can meet. Informal discussions can help attendees exchange experiences and learn about approaches being used elsewhere.

For trainees, networking can help build professional connections and identify opportunities for collaboration or further education.

For established clinicians, the conference can provide a useful opportunity to maintain relationships with colleagues and engage with developments across the wider surgical community.

Professional networking is particularly valuable in specialist medicine because collaboration often extends beyond individual hospitals or departments.

Venue in Glasgow

The event will take place at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, located at 232–242 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5RJ.

The College provides a dedicated environment for medical education, professional meetings and conferences. Its central Glasgow location makes it accessible to delegates travelling from different parts of Scotland, the wider United Kingdom and internationally.

The venue also provides a suitable setting for presentations, networking and professional discussions.

Delegates travelling to Glasgow may also benefit from the city's extensive transport connections and range of accommodation options.

The official event information notes that hotel and parking discounts can be accessed after booking.

Conference Fees

The Glasgow Surgical Forum is a paid professional conference. The published registration fees vary according to delegate category.

College members can register for £210, while non-members pay £320. Trainee registration is listed at £240, while allied health professionals can attend for £260. ASIT/ASGBI members are listed at £210.

This tiered pricing structure provides different registration options for professionals at different stages of their careers and across different healthcare roles.

Delegates should check the official RCPSG event page for the latest registration information, availability and booking requirements before making travel arrangements.

Why Attend Glasgow Surgical Forum 2026?

There are several reasons for healthcare professionals to consider attending Glasgow Surgical Forum 2026.

First, the conference focuses specifically on surgical oncology and therefore provides concentrated learning for professionals working in cancer-related surgical care.

Second, the programme is built around evidence, practice and outcomes. This makes the event relevant not only to researchers but also to clinicians looking for practical applications of current evidence.

Third, delegates can earn 12 CPD points, making the conference useful for continuing professional development.

Fourth, the event provides an opportunity to hear from leading experts and interact with colleagues from across the UK and beyond.

Finally, the poster competition creates an opportunity for professionals to share research and clinical work with a specialist audience.

Preparing for the Conference

Delegates attending the Glasgow Surgical Forum can maximise the value of the event by reviewing the programme in advance and identifying sessions most closely related to their clinical interests.

Professionals presenting posters should also prepare their research material carefully and consider the questions that may arise from other delegates.

Those travelling from outside Glasgow should arrange accommodation and transportation in advance, particularly because the conference takes place over two days.

It can also be useful for delegates to identify professional contacts they would like to meet during the event. Having clear learning objectives before attending can help ensure that the conference contributes meaningfully to professional development.

Wrapping Up

The Glasgow Surgical Forum 2026 is an important upcoming event for healthcare professionals interested in surgical oncology, cancer treatment and evidence-based surgical practice.

Taking place on 26–27 November 2026, the conference will explore advances in surgical oncology under the theme “Advances in Surgical Oncology: Evidence, Practice and Outcomes.” It will bring together general and specialist surgeons, oncologists and members of extended surgical and oncology teams.

The event combines specialist education, research presentation, professional networking and continuing professional development. With 12 CPD points, a dedicated poster competition and a programme focused on contemporary cancer care, it offers a valuable learning opportunity for professionals at different stages of their careers.

For surgeons, oncologists, trainees and other healthcare professionals seeking to remain informed about developments in surgical oncology, the Glasgow Surgical Forum 2026 provides an opportunity to learn from experts, exchange ideas and consider how new evidence can contribute to better clinical practice and patient outcomes.