Introduction In the time of COVID-19, the influx in the use of the online platform has been paramount. The surgical world is no exception with the first virtual selection process for Core Surgical Training (CST) 2021 applicants. We, the current core trainees from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) deanery organised this three-part webinar series for CST 2022 applicants to aid our future colleagues. Materials and Methods The event poster was circulated among the surgical tutors, medical education department across the KSS region, all the foundation schools and to Foundation Trainees Surgical Societies (FTSS) across the UK. It was advertised on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Eventbrite. Google Workspace was used to manage registered participants and Microsoft Teams were used for the webinars. Discussion A total of 526 participants registered. 69.9% of them registered through social media whereas 16.4% and 9.8% through the medical education department and word of mouth respectively. The first part covering the CST program overview and self-assessment guidance was attended by 96 of them on 16 November 2021. The second part covering interview stations was attended by 29 participants on 14 December 2021. We received positive feedback from 42 and 8 participants following each webinar respectively. We currently have 88 participants registered for our mock interview sessions planned for late January 2022. Conclusions The virtual selection process is here to stay. Well-organised events like this will help the candidates prepare well for their interview as well as helping the current trainees with their teamwork, leadership and organisation skills.

Background Neck of femur fractures (NOFF) pose significant socio-economic costs to society with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Its incidence rate has been collated within the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database; however, to date, no comparison across countries has been reported. Method NOFF age-standardised incidence rates (ASIR) per 100,000 population were extracted from the GBD database for European Union (EU) 15+ countries over the period 1990 to 2017. Joinpoint regression analysis of the data identified trends in ASIR and associated estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC). These were analysed by specified timeframe, country, and gender. Results Of the 19 EU15+ countries, 11 (58%) had overall increases in NOFF ASIRs in 2017 compared to 1990. The median ASIRs were 240/100,000 and 322/100,000 for males and females, respectively, in 1990. By 2017, this had increased to 259/100,000 and 325/100,000, respectively. Females consistently had relatively higher NOFF ASIRs with a median gender fracture gap of 62/100,000 in 2017. Males had a higher percentage change in increasing ASIRs, with a smaller percentage change in decreasing ASIRs for all included countries. The highest national ASIRs was observed in Australia, followed by Finland and Belgium. Conversely the Mediterranean countries demonstrated the lowest ASIRs, closely followed by the USA. Conclusions Despite significant advances in primary and secondary hip fracture prevention strategies over the 28-year study period, significant increases in NOFF ASIRs among most EU15+ countries were observed, especially with respect to gender.