SPECIALISTS surgeons have been honing their skills and learning about new technology at Colchester Hospital.

Trauma and Orthopaedic surgeons and registrars, based hospitals run by the East Suffolk and North Essex Trust, have been using a mobile lab to practise new keyhole surgery techniques.

They were also able to get to grips with newer technology which is under development including a smaller, potentially portable nanoscope – a specialist microscopic device..

Consultant knee surgeon Dr Mabs Alam said: “It’s great because we get to try new products and techniques without using it straight on a patient.”

The cadaveric mobile lab, set up outside the Iceni Centre on the Turner Road site, also attracted 24 trainees from Cambridge.

They joined members of the hospital’s Trauma and Orthopaedics team for a day of theory and demonstrations around knee surgery and sports injuries.

Mr Alam said the advanced training skills workshop will directly benefit patients as trainees can perfect the abilities they need to operate safely and efficiently.

He said: “It’s quite rare for registrars to get this opportunity, but it’s a quick and safe way to upgrade people’s skills and knowledge.

“They are able to practise and enhance their skills in a safe environment, giving them a real feel for the tissue and anatomy before they use the techniques they’ve learnt to operate on a patient in theatre.”

Last year, orthopaedic trainees voted Colchester as their Orthopaedic Training Hospital of the Year for the East of England.

Mr Alam said events like the soft tissue workshop are a great way of attracting surgeons to Colchester and showcasing why it won the regional award.

He added: “It gets surgeons to realise what Colchester Hospital has to offer as a learning centre and the complex operations we can do.”

The Iceni Centre, along with Mr Alam, organised the workshop in partnership with surgical equipment manufacturer Arthrex.