BSGE: Advancing Standards in Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgery
Founded in 1989, the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) is the UK’s leading professional society dedicated to advancing minimally invasive gynaecological surgery.
Bringing together around 2,000 members, including consultants, trainees, specialist nurses, and allied HCPs, the Society promotes excellence in laparoscopic, hysteroscopic, robotic, and endometriosis surgery through education, research, guideline development, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
OVERVIEW
Education is central to the BSGE’s mission. Through its National Training Hub Programme, members have access to structured laparoscopic and hysteroscopic training, including lectures, simulation, and hands-on practical courses delivered across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The society also offers fellowship opportunities, travel bursaries, and research grants to support specialist training and academic development. Monthly webinars and an extensive online surgical video library provide ongoing educational opportunities, while UK and Ireland members also benefit from complimentary corporate membership of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE).
Beyond education, the BSGE contributes to national standards through involvement in clinical guidelines, training curricula, accreditation, and international collaboration. Working closely together with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), ESGE, and other international societies, BSGE is one of the leading organisations in laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and robotic surgery. The BSGE continues to promote innovation that is underpinned by robust evidence while supporting the highest standards of minimally invasive gynaecological care. As surgical techniques continue to evolve, the Society remains committed to advancing education, fostering research, and improving outcomes for women across the UK.
Two current priorities for the BSGE are optimising the management of endometriosis, a highly prevalent condition causing pain and subfertility, and the conduct of outpatient hysteroscopy, the most common endoscopic procedure in contemporary gynaecological practice.
ENDOMETRIOSIS AND EndoUK 2026
The management of endometriosis represents one of the greatest challenges facing gynaecologists today. Despite affecting around one in 10 women of reproductive age, women in the UK wait an average of 8–10 years for a diagnosis, often experiencing persistent pain, reduced quality of life, and repeated healthcare visits before receiving appropriate treatment.
Recognising that surgery alone cannot solve this problem, the BSGE advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to endometriosis care. The Society accredits specialist endometriosis centres across the UK, bringing together gynaecologists, colorectal surgeons, urologists, pain specialists, fertility specialists, specialist nurses, and other HCPs to deliver coordinated, patient-centred care. Alongside supporting specialist services, the BSGE continues to promote research into earlier diagnosis, including the development of non-invasive diagnostic approaches that could help reduce diagnostic delays.
Reflecting this commitment, the Society will host its first multidisciplinary endometriosis meeting in Birmingham, UK (EndoUK) in December 2026. Bringing together experts from across specialties, the meeting will explore every stage of the patient pathway, from diagnosis and imaging to medical management, surgery, fertility, and long-term care.
OUTPATIENT HYSTEROSCOPY AND THE AMBULATORY CARE NETWORK
Improving hysteroscopic surgery and especially its conduct in an outpatient setting is another important priority. BSGE members have played a leading role in developing national guidance alongside the RCOG, helping to improve patient experience through evidence-based recommendations on procedural conduct, optimising feasibility, pain management, and informed choice. Moreover, the BSGE has been integral to developing patient information and standardised informed consent. In addition to setting standards, the BSGE has placed an emphasis on quality assurance and supporting research. To this end, the Society has made an online data collection platform and ‘app’ (the BSGE Surgical Information Collection System), as well as developed and validated a patient-reported outcome measure with benchmarking standards. These innovations are used both in the UK and internationally.
The BSGE Ambulatory Care Network (ACN) was established in 2019 to share best practice, debate contentious issues, and keep up to date across all aspects of training, education, service delivery, surgical techniques, clinical case management, audit, and research. This is effected through an annual meeting of clinicians involved in ambulatory care, especially outpatient hysteroscopy and imaging. It has been a huge success, with over 250 delegates attending the last meeting in Birmingham in February 2026. The ACN is, however, much more than a meeting; rather, it is a forum for discussion and support in a collegiate atmosphere, and this collaboration has allowed large, multicentred audit and research projects to be undertaken and published.
Finally, the BSGE’s showpiece event is its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). The most recent ASM was held in April in central London, UK, with over 1,000 delegates. The Meeting covers all aspects of gynaecological endoscopy as well as medical and radiological interventions to optimise the treatment of gynaecological conditions. The ASM runs over 4 days, with pre-congress surgical and related workshops on Day 1 and then 3 days of science and fun. The Meeting includes invited national and top international speakers, a keynote lecture, debates, and live surgery. Several streams ensure there is ‘something for everybody’, and there are plenty of opportunities for members and trainees to present their work as free communications and posters. There is always an inclusive and enjoyable social programme!
The BSGE has grown exponentially and is by far the largest UK specialist gynaecological society. This gives the BSGE much influence in helping shape UK gynaecological surgical training and practice. Moreover, the BSGE’s strong links with the ESGE and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) ensure more global influence. The vitality and relevance of the BSGE in modern gynaecological practice is thanks to the commitment of its members, the work of successive elected councils in developing strategy, industry collaborations, and, above, all the patients its members serve.
