This year was the 49th ASiT Annual Surgical Conference, which took place in Belfast, from the 7th – 9th March. Now in its 26th iteration, the prestigious Silver Scalpel Award sponsored by Swann-Morton, has played an important role in recognising trainers who go the extra mile to inspire, support and shape the next generation of surgeons over the past two decades. 

At a time of constant flux in the NHS, with training increasingly squeezed by demands on service, it is more important that we continue to recognise and reward good trainers, who promote the highest of standards in surgical training. Training goes hand in hand with providing excellent patient care, and Silver Scalpel winners also deliver an exemplary service to their patients, creating a positive clinical environment and learning culture for trainees (ASiT, 2025).

The Nominees for the 2025 ASiT Silver Scalpel Award were as follows:

• Mr Filippo Di Franco - Consultant Upper GI Surgeon, Hinchingbrooke Hospital, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
• Mr Diwarkar Sarma - Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
• Miss Melissa Cuhna - Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, University Hospitals of Birmingham 
• Miss Emma Gray - Consultant General and Breast Surgeon, Southend Site, Mid and South Essex
• Mr James Tysome - Consultant ENT Surgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Mr Jon Ghosh - Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Manchester Royal Infirmary

The Winner of the 2025 Silver Scalpel Award was Miss Emma Gray. “Training is essential to equip the surgeons of the future, with the skills and confidence to be a successful, confident and empathic surgeon who will also go on and train even more juniors!”

Swann-Morton would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate Miss Emma Gray on winning the prestigious ASiT Silver Scalpel Award.