OPBS 2026

Operative Candidate Pathway

A limited pathway for appropriately experienced applicants who want to develop operative planning and technique through selected, supervised participation alongside the course faculty.

Only 12 candidates will be selected after individual review of professional registration, previous breast surgery experience and current scope of practice.

Supervised surgical education

Supervised Participation, Not Independent Operating

Approved candidates may be invited to assist with or perform selected operative steps under direct consultant supervision. Candidates do not operate independently and do not take responsibility for clinical decisions, operative care or postoperative management.

Operative surgical education
Supervised operating theatre teaching
Selection for this pathway does not guarantee participation in a specific operation or operative step. Participation depends on patient consent, case suitability, operative findings and the decision of the supervising consultant.

Who Should Apply?

This pathway is intended for surgeons with relevant breast surgery experience who can demonstrate that supervised operative participation is appropriate for their current level of practice.

Supervised operative teaching during a surgical course

Selection Is Based on Your Current Experience

The course team will review your professional registration, current role, previous breast surgery experience and the procedures you perform in your own practice.

You may be asked to provide additional information before a final pathway decision is made.

If the Operative Candidate Pathway is not appropriate, the course team may offer a place on the Observer Delegate Pathway.

What We Will Review

Please provide clear and accurate information in the Pre-Registration Survey.

✓ Current professional role and scope of practice
✓ Professional registration and licensing
✓ Previous breast surgery training and experience
✓ Current operative experience and case volume
✓ Specific learning objectives for the course
✓ Suitability for supervised educational participation

What Participation May Involve

Depending on the case and your experience, participation may include planning with the operating team, skin marking, assisting, exposure, flap elevation or selected operative steps.

Every task is decided by the supervising consultant and may be changed or stopped at any time. The responsible surgical team remains in control throughout the procedure.

Operative planning and supervised surgical participation
Supervised operative breast surgery education

What Is Not Permitted

No independent operating
No independent clinical decision-making
No unsupervised tissue handling or surgical step
No responsibility for postoperative care
No change to the operative plan for educational reasons
No participation without patient consent

Operative Candidate Fee

Choose the applicable rate according to your current country of professional practice.

Standard Rate

£600

LMIC Rate

£375

The LMIC rate is based on the country where you currently practise, not your nationality.

A 4.43% payment processing and administration fee is added when payment is made.

Certificate of Supervised Operative Participation

Approved candidates who complete supervised operative participation will receive a certificate describing the educational participation completed during the course.

Apply before making payment Complete the Pre-Registration Survey first. Do not make payment until the course team has reviewed your application and issued an official acceptance email confirming the Operative Candidate Pathway.