SAS/LED Surgeons and Dentists' Conference 2026

The SAS/LED Surgeons and Dentists' Conference 2026, organised by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), is one of the UK's leading professional development events dedicated to Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists, Specialist Grade clinicians, Locally Employed Doctors (LEDs), dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Taking place on 18 September 2026 at the modern RCSEd Birmingham Centre, this one-day conference provides an exceptional opportunity to enhance clinical knowledge, develop leadership skills and explore the latest innovations transforming surgical and dental practice.

Designed around the theme of Career Progression, Patient Safety and Innovation, the conference delivers practical education through keynote lectures, panel discussions and interactive workshops. Delegates will hear from nationally recognised healthcare leaders who will share their expertise on workforce development, portfolio pathways, digital healthcare and the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence within surgery.

The conference offers valuable Continuing Professional Development (CPD), making it an ideal educational event for healthcare professionals seeking to maintain professional standards while improving patient outcomes.

Why Attend the Conference?

Healthcare continues to evolve rapidly through advances in digital technology, minimally invasive procedures, robotics, simulation training and AI-assisted decision making. The conference has been specifically designed to help clinicians understand these developments while strengthening practical skills that directly improve patient care.

Participants will gain practical knowledge that can immediately be implemented within their own departments and clinical settings. Sessions encourage discussion, collaboration and the sharing of best practice between colleagues from across the United Kingdom.

The event also creates an excellent platform for networking with experienced consultants, educators, trainees and healthcare leaders who are passionate about improving surgical services.

Expert Educational Programme

Throughout the day, attendees will participate in a comprehensive programme featuring:

• National keynote presentations
• Clinical leadership sessions
• Professional development workshops
• Patient safety case discussions
• Interactive learning experiences
• AI in surgical practice presentations
• Career progression guidance
• Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) advice
• Quality improvement strategies
• Panel discussions with senior clinicians

Each session has been designed to provide practical, evidence-based learning suitable for clinicians working across multiple surgical and dental specialties.

Focus on Career Progression

One of the major themes of the conference is supporting the professional advancement of SAS and LED clinicians.

Delegates will receive guidance on:

• Building competitive portfolios
• Achieving specialist registration
• Leadership opportunities
• Educational supervision
• Research involvement
• Clinical governance
• Professional networking
• Fellowship opportunities
• Career planning
• Personal development strategies

These sessions provide valuable advice for clinicians looking to advance their careers while maintaining high standards of patient care.

Innovation in Modern Surgery

Innovation remains central to modern healthcare delivery.

Conference presentations explore developments including:

• Artificial Intelligence in diagnostics
• Digital surgical planning
• Clinical simulation
• Robotic surgery
• Healthcare data analytics
• Digital education platforms
• Emerging surgical technologies
• Future workforce planning

Leading experts explain how technology is reshaping patient care while maintaining safety, ethics and clinical excellence.

Patient Safety and Clinical Excellence

Patient safety continues to be a primary focus of RCSEd educational activities.

Delegates will learn about:

• Learning from adverse events
• Human factors in surgery
• Communication within multidisciplinary teams
• Risk management
• Safety culture
• Clinical governance
• Quality improvement
• Evidence-based practice
• Decision making under pressure
• Improving healthcare outcomes

Interactive discussions encourage participants to reflect on real clinical experiences and identify practical improvements.

Interactive Workshops

The conference includes practical workshops that provide hands-on learning opportunities.

Workshop topics may include:

• Leadership skills
• Communication techniques
• Surgical education
• Clinical simulation
• Portfolio preparation
• Career mentoring
• Teamworking
• Patient safety scenarios

These sessions promote active participation rather than passive learning.

Networking Opportunities

Networking is an important element of the conference experience.

Delegates will have opportunities to connect with:

• Consultant surgeons
• Consultant dentists
• Specialty doctors
• Associate specialists
• Medical educators
• College representatives
• Healthcare leaders
• International delegates
• Clinical researchers
• Surgical trainees

These professional connections often lead to future collaborations, mentoring relationships and career opportunities.

Continuing Professional Development

Attendees can earn approximately 6 hours of CPD, supporting annual appraisal and revalidation requirements. Educational content has been developed to meet the highest professional standards expected by healthcare organisations across the UK.

Why Birmingham?

Birmingham is one of the UK's leading medical education hubs with excellent national transport connections.

The RCSEd Birmingham Centre offers:

• Modern lecture theatres
• Advanced training facilities
• Comfortable meeting spaces
• High-quality audiovisual technology
• Accessible city-centre location
• Nearby hotels and restaurants
• Excellent rail connectivity

Its central location makes attendance convenient for delegates travelling from across the United Kingdom.

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Founded in 1505, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is one of the world's oldest surgical institutions and supports more than 33,000 members worldwide. The College delivers internationally recognised education, examinations, conferences and professional development programmes for surgeons, dentists and healthcare professionals. Its commitment to innovation, research and patient safety makes RCSEd one of the most respected healthcare organisations globally.

Benefits of Attending

Attendees can expect to:

• Learn from nationally recognised experts.
• Discover innovations transforming surgery.
• Improve patient safety knowledge.
• Develop career progression strategies.
• Gain recognised CPD hours.
• Build valuable professional networks.
• Exchange ideas with multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Explore AI applications in healthcare.
• Enhance leadership and communication skills.
• Return with practical knowledge for immediate implementation.

Wrapping Up

The SAS/LED Surgeons and Dentists' Conference 2026 represents an outstanding educational opportunity for healthcare professionals seeking to advance their careers while improving patient outcomes. Combining expert presentations, practical workshops, networking opportunities and the latest developments in surgical innovation, the conference reflects RCSEd's continued commitment to excellence in healthcare education. Whether you are an experienced Specialty Doctor, Associate Specialist, Locally Employed Doctor or Specialty Dentist, this event offers valuable insights, professional connections and practical learning that will benefit both your career and your patients.