BSIR statement regarding the 'Joint statement on collaborative training in vascular surgery and interventional radiology’

Created - 09.02.2026

In 2023, the RCR, BSIR and VS collaborated on a GMC-mandated trainee survey to gauge the views of IR and vascular trainees in order to identify opportunities for shared training. 

The recommendations, following this survey on collaborative training, have been outlined in the recent “joint statement on collaborative training in vascular surgery and interventional radiology”. These recommendations are for local schemes to implement only if they have capacity, and should not be considered to be prescriptive. The document is intended to promote local discussion, not to mandate training access or act as policy, and any such use misrepresents its purpose. Limited resources, IR trainee prioritisation and IR expansion mean some schemes will be unable to offer endovascular training to VS residents, which is understood by both groups. Collaboration is only appropriate where it benefits both trainee groups equally.

Separately, BSIR Officers have also commented on the final draft of the proposed VS curriculum, although neither BSIR nor the RCR were involved in its development. Feedback was provided on potential delivery challenges, with some points accepted and others not. The curriculum was developed by the Royal College of Surgeons through the Vascular Society. Throughout the process, BSIR and the RCR emphasised that IR trainees must take priority in endovascular training, and that capacity to train non-radiology residents will vary by scheme and remain a local decision. BSIR also raised concerns about the breadth of IR skills referenced, with the understanding that these only relate to EVAR and hybrid femoral endarterectomy with inflow optimisation delivered through collaborative practice. There have been very few changes from the previous VS curriculum.

Clinical training through IR clinics and ward activity, alongside relevant acute medical, intensive care or surgical services, is essential to the future of the specialty. Any unit required to train beyond its capacity, or experiencing difficulty delivering the IR curriculum, should escalate this promptly to BSIR by emailing [email protected], who will raise relevant concerns with the joint training boards of the RCR and JCST.

Dr Raghu Lakshminarayan, BSIR President

Professor Mo Hamady, BSIR Vice President

Dr Peter Littler, BSIR Secretary

Professor Hans-Ulrich Laasch, BSIR Treasurer

Professor Robert Morgan, BSIR Past President

Professor Malcolm Johnston, RCR IR Committee Chair 

Dr Alex Barnacle, co-opted Executive Officer

Dr Matthew Gibson, co-opted Executive Officer

Dr Lakshmi Ratnam, co-opted Executive Officer

Professor Tze Wah, co-opted Executive Officer