You are the surgical SHO on a busy on-call shift. You have three ward reviews to do, a new referral from A&E, and your registrar is in theatre. How do you prioritise?
- What this tests: Practical ability to prioritise by clinical urgency; use of NEWS scores and ABCDE to triage; ability to delegate safely; communication skills; knowing when and how to escalate; time management on the surgical take.
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How to approach this Surgery interview question
This prioritisation question is common in Surgery NHS interviews because it reveals how you think under interview pressure, not just what facts you can recall. Use "You are the surgical SHO on a busy on-call shift. You have three ward reviews to do, a..." as the anchor for a concise answer with a clear opening, a clinical or professional structure, and a reflective close.
What the panel is testing
A strong prioritisation answer makes risk visible. State what you would do first, what can wait, what can be delegated, and who needs to know. Panels want to hear escalation and reassessment, not just a ranked list. For surgery, connect operative or peri-operative decision-making with patient safety. Consent, escalation, theatre priorities, post-operative complications, and clear communication with seniors often matter.
- Triage by acuity, time-critical risk, and what can safely be delegated or delayed.
- Say who you would update, what information you need, and when you would escalate.
- Keep the answer operational: document, hand over, review again, and avoid leaving hidden risk.
How to structure your answer
For a prioritisation prompt, aim for a short opening sentence, then two or three evidence-led points, then a final reflection. If you use STAR, keep the result and reflection as strong as the situation. If it is a clinical scenario, say what you would do now, what you would do next, and how you would keep the patient safe while help is coming.
- Open by naming the main issue in the question.
- Give a structured response rather than a memorised script.
- End with escalation, documentation, learning, or follow-up.
Common mistakes to avoid
The weakest answers usually stay too vague, ignore the specific role, or miss the safety issue hidden in the question. Do not use this page to memorise a perfect paragraph. Use it to rehearse the shape of a safe answer, then adapt it to your own experience and the post you are applying for.
- What this tests: Practical ability to prioritise by clinical urgency; use of NEWS scores and ABCDE to triage; ability to delegate safely; communication skills; knowing when and how to escalate; time management on the surgical take.