Andy Cockbain

As your representative I plan to develop closer ties within our community of UGI surgeons, trainees and AHPs.  Many of you I have worked with in the past, others I look forward to building new relationships with in the future. 

I will foster opportunities to work across trusts to develop our practices, discuss complex patients, collaborate on shared priorities, and offer research studies to more of our patients.

There is also scope to maximise educational opportunities for our trainees and wider teams.  Alongside formal education days and focussed courses, I would explore innovative online approaches to enhance our educational offering region-wide.

Aside from his clinical focus on emergency general and elective bariatric and Upper GI surgery he is determined to ensure that the health and well-being of all members of the surgical team is maintained whilst delivering a sustainable and high quality surgical service as well as promoting equality and equity within surgery through his role as the Royal College of Surgeons Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber.

It was an honour for me to take over as your regional representative this year.  We have a large Upper GI community in Yorkshire, and I look forward to working with you all to promote the development of Upper GI surgery in our region and develop new collaborations for the benefit of our wider teams and patients alike.

Our first educational event of the year was a bariatric education day on 16^th May.  We are excited to be running two parallel streams, including wet lab training for senior trainees, and a full-day symposium for allied health professionals from both community and hospital services.   It was oversubscribed and an excellent day with a great opportunity to explore challenges and share good practice with colleagues around the region.

Over the course of the year we plan to hold a series of Consultant networking events, to provide an opportunity for colleagues in each geographical area of Yorkshire to come together, socialise, and strengthen local networks.  These events will be open to both AUGIS members and non-members.

It is an exciting time for AUGIS in Yorkshire, with several of our surgeons currently serving on the AUGIS committee.  It is a time that we are all heavily committed to enhancing the offering to trainees, consultants and AHPs.  I welcome your suggestions, and would always be very happy to hear from you if there are any events or activities that you would like AUGIS to deliver or help to support.

June 2024