What are the usual qualifications for a surgeon?
All surgeons must first qualify as doctors, so they will have a basic medical degree which includes the principles of medicine and surgery. The title of this degree varies according to the university attended. Examples are MB or BM (Bachelor of Medicine) and BChir, ChB or BS (Bachelor of Surgery). Surgeons then go on to do several years of further training in surgical specialities (for more information, see The Training of Surgeons and ‘Who’s Who: a Guide to Hospital Surgical Staff’. During this time they acquire a specific surgical qualification, such as MRCS (Membership of The Royal College of Surgeons) or, previously, FRCS (Fellowship of The Royal College of Surgeons). Those who wish to practise as consultants must also obtain the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST). The letters after a surgeon’s name depends on the college granting the qualification, eg FRCS or FRCS(Eng) indicates fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England; FRCS(Ed) or FRCS(Glasg) indica
