Construction on a state-of-the-art Surgical Skills Centre at the Smith & Nephew Research Centre in York, UK is scheduled to be finished in Q2 2010. Despite some structural and cosmetic improvements that need completing, customers are already scheduling spots for a variety of skills training events later this year.

The facility will feature an 82-seat lecture auditorium for didactic training and a 14-station wet lab. A staff of three will be dedicated to managing the labs and booking training events.  Skills training will be available across the entire Smith & Nephew product portfolio, including arthroscopy, arthroplasty and wound management.

“The Surgical Skills Centre, York complements our existing BioSkills labs and reaffirms our commitment to our European customers and markets by making education and skills training more accessible,” John Mahoney, Director of Surgeon Education and Clinical Marketing, Endoscopy said.

In addition to the training features, the facility is wired for HD broadcast and reception to connect surgeons in remote locations to skills training. Beyond the educational aspects of the facility, the design also includes private areas for surgeons to catch up on e-mails or to discuss challenging cases.

While we are clearly proud of the new Surgical Skills Centre, York, we thought you might appreciate a colleague’s impression of the benefits of the facility. Mr. Stuart Calder, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon from Leeds General Infirmary in Yorkshire, UK, had the opportunity to tour the facility and to participate in a video-cast demonstration of both the FAST-FIX◊ 360 Meniscal Repair System and the BIOSURE◊ SYNC Tibial Fixation Device*. Afterward, Mr. Calder shared his thoughts on the benefits of the facility with Joint Intelligence, “There are no similar facilities in the UK, and as far as I’m aware in Europe, where one can come and play with new devices, educate oneself and demonstrate or develop new techniques. There’s no doubt that Smith & Nephew has long been way ahead in the game of training and education. My advice would be to grab the opportunity to use this place.”

Book now! Click HERE to view the course schedule and book courses.

* 510(k) clearance pending.