Due to changes in the College’s governance processes, it has been agreed to have two SAS Members who sit on Council. The current SAS Member of Council’s term of office runs until November 2026, and we are therefore seeking one additional SAS Member of Council at this time.
The successful candidate shall serve on Council for the three-year period from November 2025 to November 2028, demitting office at the AGM in that year. Â The SAS member will have full voting rights on Council.
Eligibility to Stand for Election
Any candidate wishing to stand for election must:
- Be UK-based, Fellows of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, in good standing with the College;
- not be under investigation by or facing disciplinary action of any kind from a regulatory or employing organisation, such as but not limited to the General Medical Council or an NHS Trust or Health Board;
- not be a trustee or member of the Council of any other surgical, medical or dental royal college;
- be a holder of the MRCS or FRCS/MFDS or FDS;
- be an SAS doctor or SAS dental surgeon;
- have a proposer and seconder, both of whom should be eligible to vote in this election (see below for criteria);
- be able to provide a letter of support from your primary employer confirming that you will be released, as required, to fulfil the role of a member of Council. Please note that non-Office-Bearer members of Council should serve for a maximum of two years beyond leaving NHS/Academic employment or active clinical practice. Candidates may be requested to provide additional evidence in this regard.
If the SAS member is unable to complete their term, then a new election process shall be initiated.
Eligibility to Vote in the Election
SAS Council Members are elected by the College’s Fellows and Members. Being in good standing with the College is a pre-requisite of eligibility.
Fellows may wish to be reminded that a Council member is not a representative of any particular body, specialty or geographical region but should be elected on personal merit.
Timeline
The deadline for receipt of candidate nomination forms is 1600 hours on 22 August 2025.
The deadline for receipt of candidate statements is 1600 hours on 5 September 2025.
Candidate ballot forms and candidate statements will be issued to the registered electorate on 12 September 2025.
The deadline for return of ballot papers will be 1600 hours on 8 October 2025 and the announcement of the successful candidate will be made on 10 October 2025. It is anticipated that the SAS member’s first attendance at Council will be in November 2025.
Please contact Mrs Irene MacDonald-Kennedy (i.macdonald-kennedy@rcsed.ac.uk) for election paperwork.