BOA comment on Times article 01 May

The suggestion that orthopaedic surgery is primarily suited to men due to the physical nature of the work is outdated and derogatory. This framing not only reinforces damaging stereotypes but disregards the growing number of highly skilled female orthopaedic surgeons working across the UK and internationally. Modern trauma and orthopaedic practice relies on decision making, planning, team working, surgical technical skill, innovation and research none which are gender specific and are not defined by physical strength alone; the late Dame Clare Marx, a President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, was an orthopaedic hip and knee replacement surgeon.

Moreover, the reference to Sarah Muirhead-Allwood, one of the most respected and accomplished surgeons in her field, was unnecessary and inappropriate. To highlight her gender transition in the context of questioning suitability for the profession risks trivialising her professional achievements and could reasonably be construed as discriminatory. Such commentary contributes little to the public understanding of either surgery or gender equity and instead undermines the progress our profession has worked hard to achieve.

The BOA should be happy to educate the correspondent on these matters so that such ignorance can be avoided in future coverage by The Times.

Mark Bowditch, President, British Orthopaedic Association