Diverse team of surgeons, predominantly female, in a futuristic operating room.

Bridging the Gender Gap: Why the Future of Surgery Depends on Female Surgeons

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"Uncover the disparities in surgery, explore the rising tide of female surgeons in England, and discover why a diverse surgical workforce is critical for better healthcare outcomes."

The world of surgery, once dominated by male figures, is slowly but surely undergoing a transformation. Recent data from NHS Digital reveals that women now constitute 19% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants in surgery in England. While this marks progress, it also underscores the significant journey ahead to achieve true gender parity in the surgical field. The presence of women in surgery is not merely a matter of equality; it’s a critical component of enhancing patient care and fostering innovation within the medical community.

The journey toward gender balance in surgery is complex, marked by varying levels of representation across different career stages. While women represent a robust 54% of foundation trainees in surgery, their numbers dwindle at higher levels, accounting for just 12% of consultant surgeons. This attrition highlights the systemic barriers and challenges that women face as they advance in their surgical careers. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward dismantling them and creating a more supportive environment for female surgeons.

This article delves into the evolving landscape of women in surgery, exploring the disparities in representation, the specialties where women are making significant inroads, and the broader implications for healthcare. By examining the data, sharing insights, and advocating for change, we aim to inspire a future where the surgical field reflects the diversity of the patients it serves, leading to improved outcomes and a more inclusive medical community.

The Numbers: A Snapshot of Women in Surgery

Diverse team of surgeons, predominantly female, in a futuristic operating room.

The data paints a clear picture: while women are entering the field of surgery in substantial numbers, their representation decreases significantly at more senior levels. According to NHS Digital's January 2018 figures, women hold 54% of foundation trainee positions and 41% of core training positions. However, this proportion drops to 30% for higher specialty trainees, 20% for specialty and associate specialist surgeons, and a mere 12% for consultant surgeons. This stark contrast indicates that systemic challenges and biases may be hindering women's advancement in surgical careers.

Not all surgical specialties are created equal when it comes to gender representation. Certain fields have seen greater progress in welcoming and retaining female surgeons. Paediatric surgery leads the way, with women comprising 35% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants. Oral and maxillofacial surgery follows closely at 34%, with plastic surgery at 29% and otolaryngology at 26%. These specialties may offer valuable lessons in creating inclusive environments that support the success of female surgeons.

Paediatric Surgery: 35% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: 34% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Plastic Surgery: 29% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Otolaryngology: 26% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
General Surgery: 23% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Vascular Surgery: 18% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Urology: 16% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Neurosurgery: 15% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Cardiothoracic Surgery: 14% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.
Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery: 11% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants are women.

Among those in training, ophthalmology, paediatric surgery, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery stand out as leaders in female representation, boasting over 40% female higher specialty trainees. These fields may be more successful in creating supportive environments for women during their training, potentially leading to better retention rates in the long run. Across all surgical subspecialties, women make up 30% of higher trainees, highlighting that while progress has been made, further improvements are both necessary and possible.

The Road Ahead: Creating a More Equitable Surgical Field

While the increasing representation of women in surgery is encouraging, the journey toward true gender parity is far from over. Addressing the systemic barriers that hinder women's advancement, promoting inclusive work environments, and fostering mentorship and support networks are essential steps toward creating a more equitable surgical field. As the surgical landscape evolves, embracing diversity and empowering female surgeons will not only enhance the profession but also improve patient care and outcomes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1136/bmj.k4530, Alternate LINK

Title: A Fifth Of Surgeons In England Are Female

Subject: General Engineering

Journal: BMJ

Publisher: BMJ

Authors: Tom Moberly

Published: 2018-10-30

Everything You Need To Know

What percentage of consultant surgeons in England are women, according to recent NHS Digital data?

According to recent NHS Digital data, women constitute only 12% of consultant surgeons in England. While women represent 54% of foundation trainees, this number significantly decreases at higher career levels, highlighting the challenges in advancing to consultant positions. This disparity indicates that systemic barriers may be hindering women's progression in the surgical field, suggesting a need for interventions to support their career advancement and retention.

Which surgical specialties have the highest representation of women among higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants?

Paediatric surgery leads with 35% of higher trainees, specialist doctors, and consultants being women, followed by oral and maxillofacial surgery at 34%, plastic surgery at 29%, and otolaryngology at 26%. These specialties may have cultivated more inclusive environments, providing valuable insights for other surgical fields aiming to improve gender representation and support the success of female surgeons. The higher representation may be attributed to factors such as work-life balance, mentorship programs, and a more supportive culture.

What systemic challenges might be contributing to the attrition of women at higher levels in surgical careers?

While not explicitly detailed, the attrition of women at higher levels in surgical careers may be attributed to several systemic challenges. These can include gender bias in evaluations and promotions, lack of flexible work arrangements to accommodate family responsibilities, insufficient mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, and a pervasive culture that may not fully support or value the contributions of female surgeons. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies, including promoting inclusive leadership, implementing transparent and equitable evaluation processes, and fostering a supportive and respectful work environment.

Why is it important to increase the representation of women in surgery beyond just achieving gender equality?

Increasing the representation of women in surgery is crucial not only for gender equality but also for enhancing patient care and fostering innovation within the medical community. A diverse surgical workforce brings different perspectives, experiences, and approaches to problem-solving, potentially leading to improved surgical techniques, better patient outcomes, and a more inclusive healthcare system. Additionally, having female surgeons can improve patient comfort and trust, especially in certain specialties, and can serve as role models to inspire future generations of female surgeons. The absence of female perspectives in surgical innovation and leadership can create gaps in understanding and addressing the needs of diverse patient populations.

What are some specific steps that can be taken to create a more equitable surgical field and support the advancement of female surgeons?

To create a more equitable surgical field, several key steps can be taken. These include implementing mentorship and sponsorship programs specifically designed for female surgeons, promoting flexible work arrangements and parental leave policies to support work-life balance, addressing gender bias through training and awareness programs, ensuring transparent and equitable evaluation and promotion processes, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect within surgical departments. Additionally, encouraging female leadership and creating platforms for female surgeons to share their experiences and insights can help dismantle systemic barriers and create a more supportive environment for their advancement. These steps are essential for retaining women in surgery and ensuring they have equal opportunities to succeed and contribute to the field.