Abstract
This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Over the years, surgical training has been standardised and centralised with less emphasis on a mentorship style of training. However, having a consistent mentor during surgical training can overcome obstacles faced by trainees. It has been shown to improve career success as well as general well-being in a demanding and competitive specialty. Despite this, a mentor is not a mandatory part of surgical training with trainees struggling to identify a mentor in the present system. We suggest the introduction of a programme managed by regional deaneries which promotes the formation of a mentor and trainee relationship at the beginning of surgical training. We are confident this scheme has the potential of producing a technically able, healthy and well-rounded surgeon.