It is never easy to be an adult learner; during the past 12 months, there have been so many competing interests for busy clinicians to try juggle: heavy clinical workloads, added to by low staffing levels due to high rates of sick leave amongst colleagues, allied with work-life balance, family demands, and trying to exercise and keep healthy.

Training can often understandably slip down the ladder of such priorities. It is in this context that the need for quality, credible and practical courses, locally available for doctors working in Emergency Medicine has never been more necessary in Ireland. It is also a testament to physicians working in Ireland that we have seen such interest in our CPD support scheme courses in RCSI. I am very grateful to our coordinators and admin staff, and to our simulation technicians for their fabulous efforts over the year that have allowed us to cover challenging scenarios including resuscitative hysterotomies, lateral canthotomies, chest drains, surgical airways, and thoracotomies, amongst many other topics. 

The potential strength of interactive workshops and simulation exercise requires good engagement and participation by candidates and is one of the pleasures that I enjoy in being part of this academic programme. It is humbling to reflect on the number of physicians that have engaged so positively in our courses over the last 12 months, and I would like to give a sincere thank you for your participation and look forward to hosting you again with our 2022/23 programme. 

Nigel Salter – Emergency Medicine lead faculty

It has been a pleasure to lead on the surgical technical skills offering for the Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPDSS) for the last ten years. The course choices have expanded over the years ranging both in specialty and complexity. The types of skills taught, and courses developed have been inspired by the participants from the CPDSS programme and the experienced and generous faculty teaching with us.

The aim is to enable the CPDSS participants to learn and practice new surgical skills, use medical instrumentation and medical devices in a simulated environment and ultimately increase patient safety when back in the hospital setting.

The administration team Paula Mansell, Adina Orac, and Samantha Henson have been instrumental in enabling the scheme to expand. Miroslav Voborsky has taken on simulation challenges and technical support with open hands. It is really the enthusiasm and the sheer interest the participants who take part in the courses that make this programme a pleasure to teach and develop for the faculty and I on this programme.

Thank you and looking forward to our exciting new programme in 2022-2023.

Leonie Heskin - Technical Skills lead faculty

We would like to remind you that, to avail of the three free courses next year you will be required to re-enrol in the Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Enrolment will open on 11^th July 2022. Please consider the eligibility criteria below before applying:

• be enrolled in the relevant professional competence scheme applicable to your specialty and area of practice as required by law.
• hold a current NCHD contract.
• work within the public health service.
• not be enrolled in an intern training programme under the auspices of an Intern Training Network or a specialist training programme under the auspices of the one of the Irish postgraduate training bodies; and
• be registered on the General Division or Supervised Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council.

Please remember to have you PCS enrolment completed before applying for the Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme 

This e- zine is for the attention of the NCHD's enrolled in the Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme only. If you do not re-enrol in the next academic year, you will not receive this fortnightly communication.

Last chance to book a course using the 21-22 CPD_SS credit allowance

This is on-line modular course has adapted from our previous CPDSS Medical Emergencies Day. The course is presented as a series of recorded one-hour modules, with access released on a rolling monthly basis. Each module, involving a separate specialty theme, will involve case-based discussions with a variety of guest speakers. Slides covering the content are provided, and a short series of MCQs based on the content covered are completed in order to complete the module. The themes covered within each module will be changed on an annual basis.

The course is now complete and will be available to book until 17 June 2022 using the 2021-2022 CPD_SS allowance. After this date the course will no longer be open for new applicants.

Detailed information of the course can be found on our website here

Applications for a number of our postgraduate academic programmes in medicine and surgery will close in less than two weeks. There has been a record amount of applications received across all programmes for 2022 intake. We suggest any individuals who are considering applying for our academic programmes to do so as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

• MCh in Surgical Science and Practice

This innovative one-year full-time Masters in Surgical Science and Practice programme presents a new approach to early surgical education and training. Students on this programme will cover the entire curriculum for Core Surgical Training, as defined by the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme in just one year.

Students will acquire core knowledge and clinical skills through immersive simulation. In addition to the knowledge, skills and behaviours components, students will also undertake a module which addresses various elements of professional development.

Applications for our MCh in Surgical Science and Practice will close on 1 June 2022. For more information, please visit: www.rcsi.ie/mssp

• MSc. in Advanced Clinical Practice

The MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice presents a unique opportunity to clinicians looking to develop their key skills and expertise in the field of advanced clinical practice. The overall aim of the programme is to develop clinicians in preparing for the professional challenges that will arise within modern day clinical practice.

Applications for our MSc. in Advanced Clinical Practice will close on 31 May 2022. For more information, please visit:www.rcsi.com/macp

• Master of Surgery (MCh) by Module

The Master of Surgery (MCh) by module is the first in Ireland to incorporate a taught component in addition to the research dissertation.

Available over one year on a full-time basis or two years part-time, programme modules are designed to equip you with a versatile skill set that will help you better meet the demands of higher surgical training.

The programme greatly benefits medical graduates planning a surgical career in obtaining a higher degree in surgery. This programme can be undertaken before, during or on completion of a structured surgical training programme.

Applications for our MCh of Surgery by Module close on 31 May 2022. For more information please visit: www.rcsi.com/mcht

We are organising bi-weekly webinars on a Wednesday evening that keep medical professionals up to date with different surgical matters.

         * Webinar titles are subject to change

The Institute of Leadership (IOL) are running a series of webinars in collaboration with The National Clinical Leadership Centre for Nursing and Midwifery (NCLC) and Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD).  

The series will consist of nine pre-recorded webinars that commenced in September 2020 and will continue until February 2021.  The aim of the series is to provide an opportunity for representatives from all nursing disciplines and midwifery services to present and share their clinical leadership experiences, during the pandemic. 

The webinars are pre-recorded and will be released on the website every second week, please click here to view them.

Join us on Wednesday, 1 June at 6pm for our monthly National Neurotrauma webinar.

This webinar will include contributions from:

• Welcome - Session Chair: Mr. David O'Brien. National Neurosurgical Centre, Beaumont Hospital.

• Case Presentation 1: Mr Theo Hirst & Mr Ashraf Abouharb. Department of Neurosurgery. Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast. "Head injury and Subarachnoid Haemorrhage"

• Case Presentation 2: Professor Mohsen Javadpour. National Neurosurgical Centre, Beaumont Hospital. "Severe traumatic brain injury: Which patients are not transferred to Neurosurgery and Why? An audit of current practice".

• Q&A

To register for the event, please visit: https://bit.ly/NeurotraumaJune

Please note NCHDs enrolled on the CPD Support Scheme with RCSI are eligible to apply for one-year free subscription on the brand-new Affiliate Membership of RCSI. Please click here to claim your one-year free subscription.

For more information, please visit: https://www.rcsi.com/surgery/membership/affiliate-members

I am pleased to confirm that the second Annual University Hospital Waterford Video Surgery Webinar will take place on Thursday 9^th June 2022 @ 6.30pm in the HSE/RCSI Education Building on the University Hospital Waterford Campus. 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. The deadline for abstract submission is Wednesday 11^th of May 2022. Attached, a copy of the abstract guidelines.  Please submit abstracts to jennie.oleary@hse.ie.

The purpose of the meeting is to showcase, recognise and celebrate the world class expertise in Irish healthcare. We look forward to welcoming you on the 9^th June. 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.

Abstract Submission Outline

Yours sincerely,

Professor Peter M. Neary MB, MScLHPE, MA, MD, FRCS(Colorectal)

Professor of Surgical Oncology

Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon

South East Cancer Governance Clinical Lead

University Hospital Waterford/University College Cork

Mr. Peter W. McCullough MB MD FRCSI (Gen-Surg)

Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon

Surgical Morbidity & Mortality Lead, UHW

Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer UCC

University Hospital Waterford

Professor Fiachra Cooke BSc(Hons) MD FRCSI (Gen-Surg)

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon & Lead Clinician South East Rectal Cancer Programme

Clinical Lead for Endoscopy, UHW

Associate Clinical Professor RCSI / Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer UCC

University Hospital Waterford

NCHDs working in the HSE full-time are able to combine Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPD-SS) funding and Training Supports Scheme (TSS) funding to cover up to €2250 each year (€5500) of the cost of undertaking one of our postgraduate programmes

MSc. Advanced Clinical Practice (Part Time Modular)

Master of Surgery by Module(Part Time Modular)

MSc. / PgDip. Human Factors in Patient Safety (Part Time)

If you are interested in pursuing one of these programmes email cpdss@rcsi.com.

The National Surgical Research Support Centre (NSRSC) has been established to support surgical trial activity in Ireland. The Centre aims to develop a portfolio of multicentre surgical trials in Ireland  and establish an Irish surgical trial network.

To that end we are launching a call to support surgeons undertaking feasibility trials with the potential to progress to evaluation through a definitive trial. Applications are encouraged from all surgical disciplines. For more details about the call please see the NSRSC Feasibility Trial Scheme Call document and Application form at the links below. We encourage potential applicants to contact the NSRSC in the first instance to discuss your proposal.

Completed applications should be submitted by email to NSRSC@rcsi.ie

• National Surgical Research Support Centre (NSRSC) Feasibility Trial Scheme
• Application Form

The closing date for submission of applications is Friday 24-June-2022 5pm

Informal queries can be directed to stewartredmond.walsh@nuigalway.ie and annemariebyrne@rcsi.ie

Kind Regards

Prof Stewart Walsh & Dr Anne-Marie Byrne

Prof Stewart Walsh

Clinical Lead

National Surgical Research Support Centre (NSRSC)

Dr Anne Marie Byrne

Programme Manager

National Surgical Research Support Centre (NSRSC)

Develop an in-depth understanding of error and risk to improve the safety and quality of care in healthcare work systems

Are you looking for a flexible MSc option to enhance your knowledge of the science behind Human Factors in Patient Safety?

We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for our online PG Diploma/MSc in Human Factors in Patient Safety starting in September 2022. This programme supports candidates who wish to become experts in delivering patient safety and quality improvement initiatives in acute hospitals.

Scholars on this programme attend online interactive sessions and workshops 1 day per month. The rest of the multi-disciplinary programme including didactic teaching, discussion boards, reading, and resources are offered online and scholars can access it in their own time.

• Programme Brochure – September 2022
• Programme Provisional Timetable – September 2022

All applications are assessed on a rolling basis and places offered accordingly (offers may be made subject to meeting all application criteria at a later time).

• Start your application (Please note candidates can start their application now and complete their application at a later time before the closing date)

The Human Factors team at Surgical Affairs would be delighted to hear further from you at MScHumanFactorsPS@rcsi.ie if you should have any queries or questions. Candidates can submit their queries here.

Best wishes,

Surgical Affairs, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Elevate your medical foundations to deliver the highest quality of patient care

The Professionalism in 21^st Century Medical Practice course is fully-online and aimed at all registered medical doctors in all specialties. This flexible course has been built to suit the busy schedules of medical doctors and is delivered in a digital format through our online teaching platform.

There are 12 online modules in total (60 CPD credits) covering different aspects of medical professionalism, with each module worth 5 CPD credits. Candidates enrolled on this course can take the modules in any order and at your own pace.

Modules include:

Interested medical doctors can register here. For any queries, please email cpdss@rcsi.com

Handover Course:  https://msurgery.ie/course/handover-course/

This online course aims to support clinicians to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively prepare and participate in clinical handover. The course demonstrates how good communication skills can achieve continuity and safety of patient care during handover. The application of ISBAR3 is examined in a variety of clinical settings using video analysis of everyday handover situations.

CPD Points

The course is recognized for 3 CPD points.

Video Consultation Course:  https://msurgery.ie/course/video-consultation-course/

Many healthcare staff are now carrying out consultations using video calls. This is often a type of consultation that staff have not encountered prior to COVID-19 and can be an area of anxiety. Building on the previous course on telephone consultations, this course shows you how to apply the core skills of the Calgory-Cambridge Guide to video consultations provides a structured and patient-centered approach.