Welcome to the ICENI Centre
The ICENI Centre is a world-class education, research and training centre based at Colchester Hospital, part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Established by the pioneers of laparoscopy, the centre continues to push the boundaries of minimally invasive techniques through advances in natural orifice surgery and robotics.
This experience has also allowed us to expand into other specialist areas including nursing, midwifery, medical and allied health professions.
The Centre delivers training to a wide variety of delegates, from locally employed staff to clinicians from around the world.
Our vision has always been to bring key opinion leaders together to share their knowledge and experience of best practice.
We use the latest technologies to provide a blended learning experience including classroom and online events, virtual reality simulation, cadaveric courses, and live surgery.
The ICENI Centre’s reputation for delivering first-class education and training to healthcare professionals has been upheld following re-accreditation from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
We first received the award in 2013 and following its latest inspection by the professional body, we have been granted reaccreditation until March 2027.
In October 2018 East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT and Ningxia Hospital in China signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
In 2019, five key personnel from ESNEFT visited China to develop relations further, with Ningxia Hospital keen to upskill their doctors through our ICENI Centre Clinical Attachment Programme. It was through this partnership that we welcomed our first cohort of nine Chinese health professionals. During their 12-week clinical attachment, they had the chance to observe operations, attend MDT meetings, and gain a fuller understanding of the structure in the NHS.
Covid19 was the only thing holding back the second cohort, who arrived in 2024. They joined our Acute & Emergency Medicine, Oncology, Gastroenterology and Vascular Surgery departments.