RCSI have launched a new online Self-paced course - Introduction To Surgical Skills and Operating Theatre Practice. 

This course is suitable for early surgical practice or first-year post-internship training. 

This online course will provide you with the introductory knowledge needed to navigate the safe care of the surgical patient in an operating theatre environment and the essential knowledge and skills needed for an early career surgical NCHD.

To learn more, visit: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/professional-cpd/cpdss/introduction-to-surgical-skills-and-operating-theatre-practice/course-details

Register today - Brand-new Essential Surgical Skills - 22 April 2026

Suitable for: Surgical SHOs.

This course is designed for SHOs in surgery and emergency medicine who are commencing their training pathway.

This course will provide attendees with the basic surgical skills which form the basis of most surgical procedures. There will also be an opportunity to further develop these skills and perform some simulated minor procedures.

To register, please visit: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/professional-cpd/cpdss/essential-surgical-skills/course-details

Follow our brand-new RCSI Continuous Professional Development LinkedIn Channel

RCSI is delighted to announce our brand-new RCSI Continuous Professional Development LinkedIn Channel dedicated to NCHDs in Surgery and Emergency Medicine’s career development.

We strongly recommend that NCHDs follow our new LinkedIn account to keep up to date with:

• Upcoming synchronous/asynchronous courses in Surgery and Emergency Medicine throughout the year
• News on CPD Support Scheme Summer and Midpoint Intake
• Updates on our Basic and Intermediate Surgical Principles and Practice intakes
• Key updates in relation to RCSI CPD News and Events
• And More

Stay connected – Follow our new LinkedIn account to keep up to date on everything RCSI Continuous Professional Development.

To follow our new LinkedIn account, please visit: www.linkedin.com/company/rcsi-continuous-professional-development/

Kind regards,

RCSI CPD Team

Join RCSI on Thursday, 19th March 2026 for our Essential Medical Professionalism course aimed at all Surgical and Emergency Medicine NCHDs.

The course will provide foundational knowledge and application of essential medical professionalism in healthcare practice through a blended learning course from expert faculty with foundational knowledge through a flexible two-hour online e-learning course and practical application through a one-day in-person course with workshops and high-fidelity simulation with reflection and debriefing.

For any queries, please email cpdss@rcsi.ie or visit: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/professional-cpd/cpdss/essential-medical-professionalism/course-details

Kind regards,

RCSI Surgery

Name

Dr Ashvirni Gilbeth

What is your medical specialty 

Emergency Medicine

What hospital do you currently work in

Tipperary University Hospital

Favourite things about your job

Being present at critical moments, teamwork under pressure, continuous growth.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career within healthcare

I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare during my teenage years when I volunteered with a soup kitchen in Malaysia. I met individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty, many of whom were struggling with untreated medical conditions.

Seeing how closely health was tied to social circumstances made a lasting impression on me. It made me realise that healthcare is not just about treating illness, but about dignity, access, and advocacy. That experience shaped my decision to study medicine and continues to influence how I practise today.

What is the most recent RCSI CPD course you've done - has it helped you in clinical practice?

The most recent RCSI CPD course I completed was the Emergency Ultrasound Course, which has been directly applicable in clinical practice. It strengthened my skills in point-of-care ultrasound, allowing me to perform focused assessments such as FAST scans, lung and cardiac views, and ultrasound-guided procedures safely and efficiently. This has improved bedside diagnostic accuracy, expedited decision-making in acute and emergency settings, and enhanced patient safety during interventions, while also increasing my confidence in communicating findings to the multidisciplinary team

What do you do in your spare time to unwind from work?

In my spare time, I enjoy practicing Pilates, which helps me relax and stay physically active. I also like reading to unwind and expand my knowledge, and I’ve been learning Norwegian, which challenges my mind in a fun and rewarding way outside of work.

What book would you recommend to other NCHDs and why (could be work related/non-work)?

I would recommend When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. It’s a deeply moving memoir by a neurosurgeon facing terminal illness, reflecting on life, mortality, and what it means to be a doctor and a human being. For NCHDs, it’s a powerful reminder of empathy, patient-centred care, and the importance of finding meaning in both our work and our lives. 

If you would like to get involved, please fill out the link below:

NCHD Spotlight Form

Sylvester O’Halloran Meeting – Friday, 27 February 2026 

The RCSI Surgery team were delighted to attend this year's Sylvester O'Halloran Meeting at the University of Limerick (School of Medicine). It was great to meet and chat to many of of our RCSI Trainees, NCHDs and Consultants who attended.  

Prof Sean Johnston delivered the highly regarded Sylvester O'Halloran Lecture that was very thought-provoking and insightful. RCSI being present at many of these surgical conferences shows our commitment to supporting the showcasing of surgical excellence and development across Ireland.

✨RCSI CPD Spotlights – Basics of Airway Management, Galway

Listen back to our 101st Abraham Colles Lecture which was delivered by Professor Ewen Harrison titled Harnessing AI to improve Surgical Care. 

To watch back, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO6D2dsuZf8 

More than 35 medical students from across the island of Ireland gathered at RCSI’s state-of-the-art surgical simulation facilities at 26 York Street, Dublin to compete in the annual National Intercollegiate Surgical Skills Competition 2026.

This year’s competition brought together participants from five universities – RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), the University of Limerick, and Trinity College Dublin– in a closely contested showcase of surgical skills.

In the individual category, Marcelina Wieczorek from University College Cork was named overall winner. Megan Lim from Trinity College Dublin finished in second place, while Aneesh Kaul from RCSI claimed third. Meanwhile, University College Cork took home the team award, demonstrating exceptional collective performance.

The competition is open to medical students considering a career in surgery, providing them with an opportunity to test and refine their laparoscopic and suturing skills.

“The National Intercollegiate surgical skills competition provides a great platform for aspiring surgeons to practice their early technical skills in a friendly and supportive environment. I am very pleased to note that this competition continues to grow in popularity, parallel with a substantial increase in the number of applications for core surgical training over the past five years,” said Professor Kevin Barry, Director of National Surgical Training Programmes.

“Acquisition of technical and non-technical skills is embedded in our national surgical training programmes. We value our ongoing interactions with medical students from all universities on the island of Ireland.”

Ms Aneesh Kaul, Final Year RCSI Medical Student said: “The National Surgical Skills Competition was a fantastic opportunity to challenge myself and apply the surgical techniques I’ve been developing over the past few years. The competition was tough but enjoyable, and it was motivating to compete alongside other students, many of whom I hope to work with in the future!”

Ms Marcelina Wieczorek, 4th year Direct Entry Medicine, University College Cork said "Taking part in the competition was an unforgettable experience and a real privilege. It provided a valuable opportunity to develop and apply practical surgical skills in a supportive environment of the highest standards. I really enjoyed great camaraderie among medical students from across the country, and working with RCSI’s state-of-the-art equipment made the experience even more rewarding. I am incredibly proud of my UCC team and everything we achieved together. Finally, a big thank you to the organisers for putting together this fantastic event!"

Places still available – Ultrasound Level 1: ‘Sign-Off’ – Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Please note applications for our upcoming Ultrasound Level 1: ‘Sign-Off’ accredited assessment will close on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.

In order to attain a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training and to be eligible to apply for specialist registration with both the IMC and GMC, an emergency medicine physician has to complete an ultrasound course and a portfolio, as well as an ultrasound competency assessment.

Guide to RCSI CPD Level 1 Ultrasound Sign Off

Suitable for: Senior EM physicians who have completed a Level 1 Point Of Care Ultrasound course and want supervised, hands-on practice or a chance to refresh the skills and to be assessed in all Level 1 (Core) competence areas (FAST, AAA, vascular access and ECHO in life support)

To register, please visit: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/professional-cpd/cpdss/ultrasound-level-1-sign-off/course-details

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is pleased to announce the launch of our brand-new Master of Surgery (MCh) by Module Brochure (September 2026 intake).

NCHDs working in the HSE full-time may be able to combine Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPD-SS) funding and Training Supports Scheme (TSS) funding to cover up to €5,500 over two years of the programme (€2,740 per year).

To learn more, please visit: https://www.rcsi.com/online/find-a-course/masters/m/a/master-of-surgery-by-module-mch

Applications for both our Master of Surgery (MCh) by Module FT and PT programmes are now open and will close on Monday, 18 May 2026.
 
RCSI’s established MCh by Module programme runs full-time over one year or part time over 2 years on a hybrid model, with 80% online with 20% face to face days on campus. Each module will have at least one- or two days' face to face.
The research component pushes you to focus on your individual interests and professional development within the greater healthcare context, and as the first programme in Ireland to incorporate a taught component you'll develop a skill set that cannot be adequately developed through research alone.

For more information, please visit: www.rcsi.com/mcht

RCSI has recently launched Ireland’s first national programme for robotic surgical training. The new National Robotic Surgery Curriculum marks a significant advance in robotic surgery education in Ireland, supporting consistent standards of practice nationwide by ensuring that trainees develop a shared foundation in robotic safety, technical competence and non-technical skills.

Formally launched at the Robotic and Technology Learning Village, which is part of RCSI’s annual Charter Week meeting, the curriculum is supported by a €2.3 million institutional investment from RCSI in robotic surgical education.

This includes the purchase of three robotic platforms and the opening of a new robotic education space at the National Surgical and Clinical Skills Centre on RCSI’s St Stephen’s Green campus.

Deliberately vendor-agnostic, the curriculum focuses on transferable skills that allow surgeons to adapt as robotic technologies continue to evolve. This approach reflects the rapid growth of robotic surgery across multiple specialties and the increasing number of platforms entering clinical practice and ensures that trainees are prepared not only for current systems but for future innovations.

Delivered through a staged and progressive programme, trainees are introduced to the principles of robotic surgery, including system setup, ergonomics, and safe workflow. They then develop core console skills such as camera control, instrument handling, dissection and suturing through advanced simulation and model-based training.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.rcsi.com/surgery/news-and-events/news/news-article/2026/02/rcsi-launches-national-robotic-surgery-curriculum

The National Clinical Programmes Annual Report 2025, published by RCSI, outlines the significant progress made by the programmes over the past year in improving patient care, strengthening clinical governance and supporting more consistent service delivery across Ireland’s health system.

The report details the work of the National Clinical Programmes across surgery, emergency medicine, trauma and orthopaedic surgery, interventional radiology and cardiothoracic surgery, delivered in partnership between RCSI, the HSE, health regions, hospitals and frontline clinical teams.

Key developments during the year included the publication and rollout of major national models of care, including updated frameworks for emergency medicine and interventional radiology, alongside continued expansion of modernised care pathways across multiple surgical specialties. These initiatives are designed to support earlier access to care, reduce unwarranted variation and improve alignment between community and hospital services.

The contribution made by the programmes to support the expansion of the elective surgery capacity by coordinating cross specialty programmes to agree national guidance for the new facilities is also outlined in the report.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.rcsi.com/surgery/news-and-events/news/news-article/2026/02/national-clinical-programmes-annual-report-highlights-progress-in-patient-care

In Conversation with Dr Czara Kennedy and Prof Kevin Barry on Surgical Training - New Beyond the Theatre Podcast

In this podcast hosted by Professor Kevin Barry, Director of the National Surgical Training Programme, Dr Czara Kennedy MRCSI, BMBS, speaks about tips and tricks to CST Applicants and Trainees on all aspects including preparing your application, networking, key resources, examinations, health & wellbeing, and more.

To listen, please click here

Have feedback surgical training topics you'd love to hear on the Beyond the Theatre? Email us at surgerymarketing@rcsi.ie

Kind regards,

RCSI Surgery

Season 3, Episode 4 Out Now - Dr Sudipto Das - Vice Dean for AI and Digital/Connected health 

RCSI is delighted to announce that Episode 4, featuring Dr Sudipto Das - Vice Dean for AI and Digital/Connected health, RCSI , of our Safe and Sound podcast is OUT NOW. With a high number of listeners from across different countries and specialties, Season 3 will again provide a spotlight on key pillars within the ecosystem of Human Factors in Patient Safety.

RCSI's latest podcast episode was hosted by Dr Fardod O’Kelly, RCSI Safe and Sound Podcast Host and Senior Lecturer in Surgical Education.

Available on Spotify and Apple podcasts, we are delighted to announce that the Season 3, Episode 4 is now available to listen on the below audio channels:

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Zys1Mbf7FojYB4qdFwVPw

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/safe--sound-podcast1

Kind regards,

RCSI Human Factors in Patient Safety Academy

The Irish Paediatric Emergency Medicine Conference (IPEM26) will take place at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport from March 11th–12th, 2026, with pre-conference workshops on March 10th. 

Building on the resounding success of IPEM25, which welcomed over 250 delegates from across the globe, IPEM26 aims to be even larger, more dynamic, and more impactful.

The 2026 theme, “Stronger Le Chéile” highlights our commitment to collaboration, shared experience and strengthening paediatric emergency medicine across Ireland and beyond. Attendees can look forward to expert speakers, interactive sessions and hands-on workshops designed to support real-world clinical practice.

Abstract submissions are now open at:

https://ipem2026.exordo.com/

The deadline for submissions is January 19th, 2026. We encourage trainees, nurses, AHPs, students and consultants to submit their work in research, quality improvement, education, simulation and clinical innovation.

Registration is now open with early-bird pricing available until February 6th, discounted hotel-bookings available until February 10th.

We look forward to welcoming you to IPEM26 for three days of learning, collaboration and community!

Kind regards,

The Irish Paediatric Emergency Medicine Association Committee

University Hospital Waterford are hosting their 6th Annual Video Surgery Webinar will take place on Friday 5 June 2026 @ 6.30p.m.

Participants will be able to link in virtually for their presentations. This forum is open to all proceduralists working in the healthcare setting. There will be plenary oral and non-plenary oral presentations, with prizes awarded for the best presentation in each category. 

• Webinar Flyer 
• Abstract Guidelines

Please submit abstracts to jennie.oleary@hse.ie, the deadline for submission is Thursday 26 March 2026.

Further information regarding this meeting can be obtained from Ms. Jennie O’Leary, Postgraduate Surgical Administrator, University Hospital Waterford on 051 842684 or by email at  jennie.oleary@hse.ie.