University Hospital of Wales hosts surgical delegation from across the UK

21 November 2025

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board recently welcomed a group of surgeons from across the country as part of the Surgical Travellers annual visit to a UK hospital.

Held on 23-24 October at the University Hospital of Wales, the visit highlighted the Health Board’s surgical innovation and education programme.

Hosted by Mr Nagappan Kumar, Consultant in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery and supported by Consultant Liver surgeon, David O’Reilly, the two-day programme featured a series of presentations from many of Cardiff’s world-class surgeons. Topics ranged from complex cancer operations to pioneering approaches in patient care and safety.

A highlight of the visit was a tour of the Simulation Centre at the Cochrane Building, where Lecturer in Medical Education Mrs Anna Sillars, showcased the training suite and courses, including the ReMAP (Recognition and Management of Acutely Unwell Surgical Patient) programme for final-year medical students taught by Mr Kumar.

The series of lectures featured groundbreaking work across specialties.

Consultant Endocrine Surgeon Mr David Scott-Coombes explored the challenges of thyroid ectopia at one of the UK’s largest endocrine surgery centres.
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon Prof Julie Cornish addressed the psychological impact of emergency laparotomies.
Consultant Oncoplastic Surgeon Mr Sumit Goyal shared his journey in founding a million-pound charity supporting breast cancer patients.
Mr Owen Hughes, Consultant Urologist, discussed managing complex operations for advanced renal cancer invading the inferior vena cava (IVC). He highlighted joint work with Mr Kumar in mobilising the liver when handling the IVC, often avoiding cardiac bypass which used to be the standard. The discussion also addressed the challenge of training new surgeons for these complex procedures.
Consultant Cardiac Surgeon Prof Indu Deglurkar spoke on achieving excellent cardiac surgery outcomes and overcoming barriers as an immigrant woman in surgical medicine.
Consultant Spine Surgeon, Prof Sashin Ahuja discussed the work he is leading nationally around implant safety initiatives.
Prof Jared Torkington, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, highlighted the promising PIPAC trial for intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with colorectal, gynaecological cancers and gastric cancers.
Consultant HPB surgeon, Miss Trish Duncan spoke about leading a team to perform minimally invasive procedures to manage severe acute pancreatitis
Consultant in Interventional Radiology Dr Drew Maclean closed the programme with a presentation around how interventional Radiology (IR) at Cardiff is at the forefront of innovative approaches to manage very difficult vascular emergencies.

The visit was deemed very successful and reinforced Cardiff’s reputation as a hub for surgical excellence and collaboration.