Southern Hemisphere’s Largest Surgical Meeting

When: 6-10 May, 2024
Venue: Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
Where: Christchurch, New Zealand
Delegates: 2,000
Exhibitors: 30
Official Functions: 17
Theme: Responsibility of a surgeon

The congress left legacies for Christchurch with many early-career surgeons involved, and fundraising initiatives including those to make surgery a more attractive option for future students. Christchurch’s local experts shared their insights on climate change, and cultural engagement, and a buzzing exhibition hall hosted 30 medical organisations showcasing the latest in medical technologies and products.

RACS President, Associate Professor Kerin Fielding said the theme of this year’s ASC was 'Responsibility of a Surgeon'.

“The Congress saw some of the world’s top surgical and medical minds pause and explore the critical role surgeons play in both the surgical system and the broader healthcare community,” Associate Professor Fielding said.

The RACS 2024 showcased the critical role that surgeons and the broader medical community play in addressing major global challenges beyond just performing surgical procedures.

There was a strong emphasis on the health impacts of climate change, especially in vulnerable Pacific Island nations. Surgeons were urged to be advocates and use their influential voices to drive immediate climate action. The congress also highlighted the need for the healthcare sector itself to reduce its sizeable carbon footprint.

Climate change is bad for our health, was the theme of Opening Plenary on climate change at the 92nd RACS Annual Scientific Congress.

Research presented by Professor Bronwyn Hayward, of the University of Canterbury, showed that even more developed countries, including Aotearoa New Zealand, are susceptible to institutional and government failure in the face of climate crisis.

In a scientific congress filled with quantitative data and complex subject matters, former Vice Chancellor of University of Canterbury, Dr Roderick Carr spoke from the heart about taking action against climate change. As Chair of Aotearoa New Zealand’s He Pou a Rangi - Climate Change Commission he set the tone for a powerful and reflective talk as part of the honorary President’s Lecture.

Improving health outcomes and increasing Indigenous representation in the surgical workforce were prioritised. The congress celebrated Indigenous scholarship recipients and RACS’ commitments to making surgery a more culturally safe career path.

Registered psychologist and Dean of the University of Otago, Christchurch, Professor Suzanne Pitama gave the Syme Oration at the Convocation Ceremony.

"Ka pū te ruha ka hao te rangatahi". When an old net is worn out it is cast aside, and a new net takes its place,” she said.

Professor Suzanne Pitama drew parallels between this whakatauki (Māori proverb) and the nearly 200 new Fellows who were formally admitted to the Fellowship.

She said huge strides had been made towards cultural competency which means even those that are further along in their surgical careers can learn and transform their practice.

Dr. Maxine Ronald, a general surgeon from Aotearoa New Zealand, RACS' first Māori Councillor, and past Chair of the Indigenous Health Committee said, through funding from the RACS Foundation for Surgery, the committee has been working to make surgery a more culturally safe and attractive profession for Māori doctors.

“This good work is reaping the rewards, with RACS receiving a record of eight Māori applicants to General Surgery in 2024,” she said.

In a unique session involving the Trainees Association, Younger Fellows and Senior Surgeons, leaders in the field provided insights into 'what they would tell their younger selves', insight valuable to everyone no matter what stage of their career. Tying all these stories together was Dr Suzanne Hamilton - head of a mentoring programme at Christchurch Hospital.

Stories were shared of surgeons providing medical aid and psychological support in conflict zones and areas impacted by shortages of supplies. This demonstrated surgeons' roles extending far beyond the operating theatre.

The congress made it clear that the surgical community has a vital part to play in promoting environmental sustainability, achieving health equity, and providing humanitarian aid on a global scale.

Professor Angus Watson, who volunteers his time and surgical expertise through UK-Med to help communities in conflict zones around the world attended all five days of the RACS ASC in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

"When you're a humanitarian, you can't take sides," says Professor Angus Watson, a Scottish consultant general and colorectal surgeon, who has recently practiced in Ukraine and Gaza where providing psychological support is as much a part of the job as medical support.