Speakers
Professor Phil Turner
External Organisation
The Sir Walter Mercer Lecture honours the legacy of Sir Walter Mercer (1890–1971), a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon who made a significant contribution to the development of orthopaedic surgery, education and training in the UK. Sir Walter was the first holder of the Law Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Edinburgh, served as President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1951 to 1956, and was a Vice-President of the British Orthopaedic Association.
His name continues to be associated with excellence in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery through the Sir Walter Mercer Medal, awarded for outstanding performance in the Intercollegiate Specialty Examination.
The Sir Walter Mercer Lecture at BOA Annual Congress continues this tradition by recognising excellence and achievement within the orthopaedic profession.
Chair: Haroon Rehman
Agenda:
12:00 - 12:05 Haroon Rehman
Welcome & Introduction
12:05 - 12:25 Professor Phil Turner
RCSEd Sir Walter Mercer Lecture: Patient Safety - From Checklist to Culture
12:25 - 12:30 Haroon Rehman
Closing Remarks & Medal Presentation
Professor Turner has been a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon based at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport since 1990 having trained in Manchester and spent time studying in centres in America and Europe. He was the senior surgeon in the department and specialises in all aspects of knee surgery, having established a tertiary referral unit for complex knee problems from across the North West and beyond.
His clinical practice includes caring for elite athletes including Premiership football teams, professional rugby league and union players and Olympic athletes.
He was a Council and Executive member of the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and served as President from 2018 to 2019. He was previously the North West Orthopaedic Training Programme Director, Head of the North West School of Surgery, founding Chair of the Confederation of Post-Graduate Schools of Surgery and Chair of the BOA Training Standards and Curriculum Committee. Philip has been a key member of the Joint Intercollegiate Committee for Examinations where he has been an examiner, assessor and quality assurance lead. He has been involved in surgical education and assessment throughout his career and was awarded the Fellowship of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers of the RCS Edinburgh in 2016.
He has been domain clinical lead in the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and founding Chair of the Greater Manchester Orthopaedic Alliance. He holds an Honorary Professorship in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Salford and was elected as a Council member and Trustee of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2019 where he chaired the Professional Standards Committee. Philip was appointed as the Deputy Dean for Accreditation in 2025 and Chairs the Joint Specialty Examinations Committee.
He is proud to have been appointed as a founding trustee of the “DayOne Trauma” charity supporting the care of patients and families who have suffered catastrophic injuries.
Philip was elected as Vice President of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2025.
