1st April 2026

ASiT Silver Scalpel Award Winner 2026

Swann-Morton was delighted to attend the 50th Annual Surgical Conference, hosted by the Association of Surgeons in Training, held at Manchester Central Convention Complex from 6–8th March. This milestone event brought together surgeons at all stages of their careers to network across specialties, engage with the latest developments in clinical practice, and explore the future of surgical training.

Now in its 27th year, the Silver Scalpel Award, sponsored by Swann-Morton, continues to play a vital role in recognising exceptional trainers who go above and beyond to inspire, support, and shape their trainees, while upholding the highest standards of surgical education. Established to promote and disseminate innovative approaches to surgical training, the award remains a highly sought-after and respected accolade, encouraging excellence not only in teaching but also in surgical leadership.

At a time of ongoing change within the NHS, with surgical training rapidly evolving and increasingly challenged by service demands, recognising and rewarding outstanding trainers has never been more important. High-quality training is intrinsically linked to excellent patient care, and Silver Scalpel winners exemplify this connection—delivering outstanding clinical service while fostering supportive learning environments for future surgeons.

The Nominees for the 2026 ASiT Silver Scalpel Award were as follows:

• Professor Benjamin Challacombe, Consultant Urologist, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital
• Mr Gurjinderpal Singh Pahal, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Royal London Hospital
• Professor Richard Haywood, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
• Ms Sian Abbott, Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon, Walsall Manor Hospital
• Mr Vanash Patel, Consultant, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - WINNER

2nd February 2026

A New Name, Same Commitment & Values

We are pleased to announce that Swann-Morton (Microbiological Laboratory Services) Ltd has officially changed its name to Swann-Morton Laboratory Services Ltd. This change reflects our continued growth and evolving vision, while our commitment to our customers, partners, and the highest standard of quality remains unchanged.

Contact us to find out more and stay in touch as we share further developments in the months ahead.

15th September 2025

NEW Endotoxin Testing using Recombinant Cascade

Swann-Morton (Microbiological Laboratory Services) Ltd is pleased to announce the introduction of endotoxin testing using recombinant cascade reagent (rCR), an advanced, animal-free alternative to the traditional Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) method.

2nd April 2025

Swann-Morton 2024 ODP Award - SHU

On the 25th of March, Swann-Morton had the pleasure of presenting the 2024 Swann-Morton Award for Academic Excellence in Operating Department Practice, in association with Sheffield Hallam University, to the winner, John Hobson. 

17th March 2025

ASiT Silver Scalpel Award Winner 2025

This year was the 49th ASiT Annual Surgical Conference, which took place in Belfast, from the 7th – 9th March. Now in its 26th iteration, the prestigious Silver Scalpel Award sponsored by Swann-Morton, has played an important role in recognising trainers who go the extra mile to inspire, support and shape the next generation of surgeons over the past two decades.  

The Nominees for the 2025 ASiT Silver Scalpel Award were as follows:

• Mr Filippo Di Franco - Consultant Upper GI Surgeon, Hinchingbrooke Hospital, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
• Mr Diwarkar Sarma - Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
• Miss Melissa Cuhna - Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, University Hospitals of Birmingham 
• Miss Emma Gray - Consultant General and Breast Surgeon, Southend Site, Mid and South Essex
• Mr James Tysome - Consultant ENT Surgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Mr Jon Ghosh - Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Manchester Royal Infirmary

2nd April 2024

ASiT Silver Scalpel Award Winner 2024

This year was the 48th ASiT Annual Surgical Conference which took place in Bournemouth from the 8th – 10th March. Over the past two decades the prestigious Silver Scalpel Award sponsored by Swann-Morton, has played an important role in recognising trainers who go the extra mile for their trainees and promote the highest of standards of surgical training. “Empowering Tomorrow’s Surgeons”

 The Nominees for the 2024 Association of Surgeons in Training Silver Scalpel Award were as follows:

•  Ms Hawys Loyd-Hughes – Consultant Plastic Surgeon – Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust
•  Mr James Brewer – Consultant Upper GI Surgeon – Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust
•  Professor Jim Khan – Consultant Colorectal Surgeon – Queen Alexandra Hospital
•  Mr Mark Dilworth – Consultant Colorectal and Paediatric Surgeon – Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
•  Mr Matija Krkovic – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon – Addenbrooke’s Hospital
•  Mr Nikolaos Kostoulas – Consultant Thoracic Surgeon – Golden Jubilee National Hospital