Royal College of Surgeons of England — Local services in London

Where Precision Meets Personal Branding (Literally)

The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) is globally renowned for its commitment to surgical excellence, cutting-edge medical advancements, and, apparently, an unexpected foray into the fine art of liver calligraphy. With alumni like Dr. Simon Bramhall, who took the concept of "leaving a mark in medicine" a bit too literally, the RCS proves that its graduates possess not only skilled hands but also a flair for unconventional self-promotion.

Aspiring surgeons can rest assured that RCS provides top-tier training in anatomy, surgical techniques, and—based on recent events—possibly a brief elective in autographic liver engraving (strictly frowned upon, but evidently possible). While most surgeons leave the operating room with nothing more than a sense of accomplishment, Bramhall chose to sign off his work as if he were completing a commissioned oil painting.

The disciplinary measures taken by the General Medical Council reaffirm that RCS upholds the highest ethical standards, even if an occasional rogue artist slips through. While Bramhall's case will go down as a bizarre footnote in medical history, the Royal College of Surgeons remains a prestigious institution—one that strongly encourages its members to leave a legacy through skill and innovation, rather than through unauthorized surgical graffiti.

Final Verdict: 10/10 for surgical education, 0/10...

The Hunterian is one of two fantastic museums in Lincoln Inn Fields (the other one is Sir John Soanes, just opposite). Part of the Royal College of Surgeons, the museum features lots of anatomical displays, as well as bits and pieces illustrating the history of surgery. And I literally mean 'bits and pieces'. Everything from a human foot with severe corns (as vom-inducing as it sounds) and dissected possum foetuses to a four-legged chick are on display, clearly labelled in glass jars. Exhibits such as human foetus skeletons were also on display, meaning that this museum probably isn't suitable for the very young. Upstairs you can find exhibits pertaining to the history of modern surgery - that was probably more interesting than the anatomical displays. And the short films of modern surgical procedures were really fascinating too. Because of the grisly nature of the exhibits, I expected the Hunterian to be dark, gloomy and a bit dungeon-y. It's actually a really modern and shiny space that clearly aims to educate rather than shock....

Fascinating and macabre in equal measures. I first visited here when there was an exhibition showcasing some of the gems of their library, including early editions of Gray's Anatomy. The museum houses the collection of John Hunter, an 18th century physician and obsessive collector of specimens from humans and other species. In a nutshell, the collection is various bits preserved in glass jars, some are particularly gut-wrenching: deformed foetuses, diseased organs, dissected brains and the like. The collection of surgical equipment is also very interesting. Overall this is another great free museum in London, just save your lunch until...