History

The Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) is a registered charity (No. 274841) which works to promote the highest standards in surgical training.

The Association was oringinaly established in 1976 as a forum for senior registrars to meet socially and discuss training matters. ASiT now counts numerous professional leaders and Royal College Presidents amongst our alumni.

The Association is the second largest surgical specialty association in the UK, with over 2,000 members.

ASiT’s members come from all nine surgical specialties. ASiT is the only body in the UK to represent trainees at both Core and Higher Surgical Training levels, with orthopaedic registrars also represented by BOTA.

ASiT functions through the input of its elected specialty and regional representatives, and serves the needs of trainees beyond its formal membership.

ASiT membership costs just £40 when paid by direct debit or £50 otherwise. This fee has remained as low as possible whilst ASiT aims to maximise the return to its trainee members. The highlight of this is the ASiT Annual Surgical Conference, with nearly 400 delegates attending a weekend of educational courses, lectures and topical debate on all aspects of surgery and surgical training.

ASiT represents the views of its membership through representation on the councils of the Surgical Royal Colleges, ISCP, JCST, and numerous other working parties and committees.

Unlike many other junior doctor trainee groups, ASiT remains independent of the Surgical Royal Colleges and other professional medical organisations, and is run by trainees, for trainees.