A global surgical research team from the University of Birmingham has received £7 million funding from National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to continue its life-saving work such as finding ways of increasing surgical capacity and preventing postoperative complications in developing countries. The team will focus on training non-surgeons to perform essential hernia operations. Hernias pose a major problem with five million patients awaiting surgery in sub-Saharan Africa, stopping young men from providing for their families. The team will also continue its work in boosting post-operative recovery in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) – testing simple innovations such as the use of high-dose oxygen, mouthwashes and inhalers. The researchers are also looking to bring innovation back into the health systems of high-income countries by piloting innovative practises in LMICs – proving their worth ahead of wider roll-out.