RCS Newsletter | Celebrating success in surgical skills

Cut above the rest: Winners crowned in RCS England’s surgical skills showdown

18 May 2026

Two South East England based surgeons, Calvin Chan and Runzhi Chen, have been crowned the winners of the Royal College of Surgeons of England ‘s (RCS England) surgical skills competition, with 12 teams competing from across the UK this past weekend. The second-year core surgical trainees - Calvin Chan, who works at Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, and Runzhi Chen, who works at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath - won the prestigious Louis Solomon Knights Award for Surgical Skills and a cash prize at the ‘Are You Cut Out For It?’ national final.   

The team representing Wales, Jontie Honey of Swansea Bay University Health Board and Raven Joseph of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board came in a close second.   

The competition is designed to test competitors’ practical skills, foster teamwork, and to provide networking and collaboration opportunities between trainees and consultants in a fun and engaging environment.  Mr Joe Curry, Chair of the RCS England Surgical Skills Competition and Senior Consultant in Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, said:  “The Surgical Skills Competition at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, is a fantastic initiative that harnesses the early skills and knowledge of a future generation of surgeons that will continue to provide world-class care for their patients. It has grown year on year and is thriving thanks to the dedication and input from RCS England as well as the sponsors, The Honourable Society of Knights of the Round Table and Limbs & Things who provide the amazing models that the surgeons demonstrate their skills on.   “I hope that over time it will continue to grow and flourish and champion the skills and knowledge required for a modern surgeon working within the NHS.” 

Across four rounds, 12 teams displayed their knowledge of anatomy, suturing skills, their use of laparoscopic surgery techniques, and their communication and patient management skills. Professor Frank Smith, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS England), said:  “The calibre of competition this year has been both reassuring and inspiring. All the finalists demonstrated exceptional skill, knowledge and professionalism, and I am confident that they will go on to have long, successful surgical careers. “Congratulations to the winners Calvin Chan and Runzhi Chen.”