Call for Clinical, Basic, and Lay examiners - MRCS Part B OSCE examinations
Register your interest today
 
 

The RCSI Court of Examiners are currently looking to recruit new basic, clinical and lay examiners to join our surgical examining committee and help deliver our MRCS Part B OSCE diets in Ireland and overseas in Malaysia, Bahrain and the UAE.


The RCSI Court of Examiners are currently looking to recruit new basic, clinical and lay examiners to join our surgical examining committee and help deliver our MRCS Part B OSCE diets in Ireland and overseas in Malaysia, Bahrain and the UAE.

 

Examiners play a key role in the progression of our surgical trainees domestically and internationally. The support of our basic, clinical, and lay examiners is integral to our ability to deliver the MRCS exams and ensuring that the surgical quality standard of our surgeons in training is assessed to the highest efficiency.

 

Prospective examiners can find more information such as eligibility criteria for each of our examiner vacancies on our Court of Examiners. Applications forms for each of our examiner vacancies can be seen below:

 

In order to apply, prospective examiners will need to fill out the application form for the vacancy of your choice and send it to courtofexaminers@rcsi.ie.

 

 
 
 
RCSI-NSRSC Surgical Trial Embark Award
 
 

The NSRSC are launching the Surgical Trial Embark Award in order to provide support to trainee and early career surgeons to undertake an Investigator-Led Trial.


The NSRSC are launching the Surgical Trial Embark Award in order to provide support to trainee and early career surgeons to undertake an Investigator-Led Trial.

 

A key objective of the RCSI-National Surgical Research Support Centre is to develop a portfolio of multicentre surgical trials in Ireland. We are particularly looking to encourage trainee and early career surgeons to conduct surgical research and trials so that it becomes an integral component of their career. We understand the challenges faced by many who wish to participate in research but lack the necessary supports including time, funding and infrastructure to undertake this.

 

To see further details and apply, please click here.

 

Closing date: 28-April-2023

For queries contact us at NSRSC@rcsi.ie

 

Kind regards

Anne-Marie Byrne (Programme Manager NSRSC)

&  Stewart Walsh (Clinical Lead NSRSC)

 
 
Core Training Recruitment Update
 
 

The CST intake for July 2023 is now complete and feedback has been circulated to all applicants. This year, there were 286 submitted applications, 229 were called to interview with 215 attending. 


CST INTAKE

The CST intake for July 2023 is now complete and feedback has been circulated to all applicants. This year, there were 286 submitted applications, 229 were called to interview with 215 attending. 

 

Interviews were held remotely via Microsoft Teams over the week of 20 February with over 100 Consultant trainers who participated in the process.

 

80 Candidates have been appointed and have received their year one allocations for July 2023 to July 2024 across the 10 main teaching hospitals.

 

Gender breakdown 

 

 

This years cohort will have an online induction in late June/early July with the CST team, CST Chair Mr Dara Kavanagh and the Director of the National Training Programmes Prof Kevin Barry.

 

They will attend RCSI in person for 3 intensive days introductory Surgical Bootcamp being held in the National Skills Centre 26 York Street prior to their start date on CST and will also complete a range of associated remote synchronous & asynchronous modules.

 

 

ST1 Trainees

 

Current ST1 trainees will attend RCSI on one of three dates over late April to Mid-May to complete their Operative Surgical Skills and Human Factors in Patient Safety OSCE’s. The OSCE’s are assessments in what trainees have learned in year 1 of the training programme and the scores will count towards their progression score for Specialty Training. This cohort of trainees have now been assigned, by competitive progression, to their specialty for year two of the training programme and have been advised of their allocation for July 2023 to July 2024.  They will all have a specialty specific online induction meeting with their ST2 Programme Director or nominee in June 2023.

 

 

ST2 Trainees

 

Current ST2 trainees completed their year two Operative Surgical Skills and Human Factors in Patient Safety OSCE’s in January/ February 2023 and will complete their fourth & final CAPA in June 2023 prior to the finish of their 2 year programme in early July.

 

 

IMGTI Scholarship Programme in Surgery

 

11 General Surgery & 5 Orthopaedics Trainees from CPSP and SMSB will commence the two year programme in July 2023. Their allocations have been finalised and notified to them via the Forum of Postgraduate Training Bodies. Prior to commencement of the programme they will have a general induction with other training bodies organised by the Forum and will then have an intensive bootcamp including induction in RCSI in August 2023 once they have settled in to their new homes and hospitals.  

 

The current 8 General Surgery & 3 Orthopaedics Trainees will progress into year 2 of the programme in July and have already been notified of their allocations for the year. They will attend RCSI on one of three dates over late April to Mid-May to complete their Operative Surgical Skills and Human Factors in Patient Safety OSCE’s. Successful completion of these OSCE’s are key components for sign-off at the end of their two year programme. They will participate in their end of year ARCP’s in June 2023. 

 

The year 2 trainees completing the programme will also have their final ARCP’s in June 2023 and have already completed their year two Operative Surgical Skills and Human Factors in Patient Safety OSCE’s earlier this year. 

 

 
 
Call for abstracts - Annual University Hospital Waterford Video Surgery Webinar
 
 

The third Annual University Hospital Waterford Video Surgery Webinar will take place on Thursday 8th June 2023 @ 6.30p.m.


Dear Colleagues,

 

I am pleased to confirm that the third Annual University Hospital Waterford Video Surgery Webinar will take place on Thursday 8th June 2023 @ 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.

 

Download flyer here.

 

To view the abstract guidelines, please click here.  Please submit abstracts to jennie.oleary@hse.ie, the deadline for abstract submission is Thursday 20th April 2023.

 

The purpose of the meeting is to showcase, recognise and celebrate the world class expertise in Irish healthcare.  

 

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.

 

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

 
 
PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship awarded to Dr Evelyn Murphy
 
 

Dr Evelyn Murphy has been announced by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) as the recipient of the 2023 PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship.


Dr Evelyn Murphy has been announced by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) as the recipient of the 2023 PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship.

The prestigious bursary, awarded by RCSI and supported by Olympus Medical, promotes female participation in surgical training at Fellowship level.

Dr Murphy will undertake a Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery in Sydney. It will incorporate percutaneous surgery, sports surgery, trauma and total ankle replacement, covering basic and complex fusions and osteotomies and forefoot reconstructions.

Dr Murphy is undertaking Higher Specialist Training in Trauma and Orthopaedics at RCSI, due for completion in 2023, and is currently posted at Galway University Hospital. She has four postgraduate qualifications, has published over 55 papers and has been awarded and shortlisted for more than 15 prizes, bursaries and research grants for her work.

Following the Fellowship, Dr Murphy will be one of the pioneers in this field in Ireland.

Dr Murphy commented: “I am delighted to receive the 2023 PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship. I am honoured to be the first Orthopaedic recipient of this award. This initiative, sponsored by Olympus and facilitated through RCSI, will support me during the fellowship. I intend to develop key skills in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery. This fellowship will allow me to continue to innovate in the field of orthopaedics.

This award highlights the importance of continued inclusion in the practice of surgery. It is very encouraging to see increased female participation and overall diversity in surgery as whole.”

The PROGRESS Fellowship was developed following recommendations in the ‘PROGRESS: Promoting Gender Equality in Surgery’ report published by RCSI in 2017. The report highlighted the complex barriers to female progression in surgery and specifically called for the provision of a Fellowship to inspire exceptional female trainees and enable them to avail of transformational international training.

Now in its fourth year, the PROGRESS Fellowship aims to nurture and develop the expertise and skill base of Irish female surgeons, enabling them to gain international exposure in their chosen fields, acquire additional surgical skills, access new technologies and contribute to the advancement of surgical science and practice on the island of Ireland.

Dr Murphy’s Fellowship was announced by RCSI Vice President Professor Deborah McNamara and presented by RCSI President Professor Laura Viana as part of RCSI’s Charter Meeting celebrations.

RCSI President Professor Laura Viani said: “I congratulate Dr Evelyn Murphy on receiving this very significant Fellowship. The future for women in surgery is brighter than ever before, and this award is testament to that. Indeed, this is the first time in RCSI’s history that the President and Vice President roles have both been held by women. I look forward to following Dr Murphy’s achievements during her time in Australia and beyond.”

Alison Harvey, Country Manager of Olympus Medical, said: "Olympus is proud to continue our partnership with RCSI to award the distinguished PROGRESS Fellowship for talented female surgical trainees. It is a privilege to support Dr Murphy to develop her clinical experience and become an international expert in her field. We believe this Fellowship makes an important contribution to both enhancing the skill base of surgeons, and improving patient outcomes, here in Ireland."

The first two PROGRESS Fellowships were supported by Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices and were awarded to Ms Ailín Rogers (2020) and Ms Helen Mohan (2021). The 2022 Fellowship, supported by Olympus Medical, was awarded to Ms Christina Fleming to undertake a fellowship in Robotic and Colorectal Surgery at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Bordeaux, France.

For more information about the PROGRESS Women in Surgery Fellowship, visit the RCSI website.

 

 
 
Aspire 2023 Fellowships
 
 

Applications are now open for our RCSI Aspire 2023 post-CSCST Fellowships.


 

Applications are now open for our RCSI Aspire 2023 post-CSCST Fellowships.

The RCSI ASPIRE fellowships are a suite of highly prestigious and fully-funded post-CCST Fellowship training opportunities that provide a candidate with a structured certifiable educational experience. Please see below table for further details:
 
Fellowship Closing date  
Aspire Fellowship Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Wednesday, 12 April Click here for more information
Aspire Fellowship in Vascular Surgery with a special interest in Diabetic Foot Management & Vascular Access Wednesday, 12 April Click here for more information
Aspire Fellowship in Lower Limb Ulceration Wednesday, 12 April Click here for more information
Aspire Fellowship in ENT Skills for Primary Care Monday, 1 May Click here for more information
 
 
HE Ambassador Milton and Mr Clancy (CEO, Enterprise Ireland) formally launch collaborative Postgraduate Training website in UAE
 
 

Prof Oscar Traynor and Brenda Farrell, RCSI, Surgical Affairs, travelled to the Gulf in February along with four other Postgraduate Training Bodies from Ireland to formally launch a new collaborative website which promotes opportunities for postgraduate clinical training in Ireland. 


Prof Oscar Traynor and Brenda Farrell, RCSI, Surgical Affairs, travelled to the Gulf in February along with four other Postgraduate Training Bodies from Ireland to formally launch a new collaborative website which promotes opportunities for postgraduate clinical training in Ireland.  They were delighted to have the opportunity to launch during the World Leaders Summit that Ambassador Alison Milton and Mr Leo Clancy were attending in Dubai.

 

In addition to the launch event in the UAE they had discussions with Dubai Academic Health Corporation, SEHA, Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi and also visited Qatar (HMC, Itqan Simulation Centre and Qatar University) and Kuwait (KIMS and Kuwait Medical Association).  These discussions focused on promotion of RCSI’s International Surgical Fellowship Programme (ISFP) but presented the opportunity for exploratory discussions regarding collaboration in the delivery of local surgical training.

 

The international medical graduates currently in Ireland are supported by programme co-ordinator Mr Sean Hall and the team in Surgical Affairs.

 
 
Watch back: Becoming a Standout Surgeon
 
 

Experts in the surgical field joined the RCSI Fellows and Members Office for its 'Becoming a Standout Surgeon' event last month as part of the RCSI Charter Meeting 2023.


Experts in the surgical field joined the RCSI Fellows and Members Office for its 'Becoming a Standout Surgeon' event last month as part of the RCSI Charter Meeting 2023.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness amongst medical students, surgical trainees, interns, NCHDs and junior doctors of the opportunities available through the new RCSI affiliate membership programme and to provide guidance on pursuing a successful career in surgery.

Affiliate Membership of RCSI provides those considering a career in surgery and trainee surgeons with exclusive access to a range of ‘member-only’ services aimed at supporting and supplementing their personal, practical, academic and professional development in the surgical field.

Professor David Healy, RCSI Council Member, was joined by an expert panel to discuss key surgical topics to guide the potential future surgical training programme applicants in the audience and provide them with an insight into the standards and the level of competition in the field. 

The panel of speakers, addressing an audience of more than 100, at the event included: Professor Kevin Barry, Director of National Surgical Training Programmes, RCSI; Mr Dara Kavanagh, Chair of the Core Surgical Training committee, RCSI; Ms Jessica Ryan, Irish Surgical Training Group (ISTG) President and Higher Surgical Trainee, RCSI; and Ms Ciara Tallon, Career Designer, RCSI.

Becoming A Standout Surgeon

 
 
Operation Childlife Travel Fellowship awarded to Dr Danielle McLaughlin and Dr Dawn Deacy
 
 

This prestigious bursary, awarded jointly by RCSI and Operation Childlife, aims at supporting surgical trainees or medical professionals in gaining additional expertise by participating in international paediatric healthcare missions, while also conducting research into the areas of altruism and global health in collaboration with local medical professional and Operation Childlife members.


Dr Danielle McLaughlin and Dr Dawn Deacy have been announced by Operation Childlife and RCSI as the first recipients of the Operation Childlife Fellowship.

This prestigious bursary, awarded jointly by RCSI and Opens in new windowOperation Childlife, aims at supporting surgical trainees or medical professionals in gaining additional expertise by participating in international paediatric healthcare missions, while also conducting research into the areas of altruism and global health in collaboration with local medical professional and Operation Childlife members.

Dr McLaughlin, who has recently completed Higher Specialist Training in Paediatric Surgery at RCSI, is currently undertaking subspecialty training as a locum consultant paediatric surgeon in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Her academic achievements are reflected in a number of awards and prizes, the completion of a PhD, as well as over 40 peer-reviewed publications and presentations. She has particular interests in leadership, mentorship, quality improvement and simulation training.

Dr Deacy is undertaking GP training in Dublin, due for completion in 2026, and is currently posted in Beaumont Hospital. She holds an honours degree in mathematics and had previously undertaken training in paediatric surgery at RCSI. She is a medical director of Hand in Hand, a children’s charity and has volunteered in Tanzania with paediatric patients from Children’s Health Ireland. She has postgraduate qualifications in medical device science, has a master’s degree in bioinnovation from the University of Galway and is completing a diploma in children’s health with the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health.

Dr Murphy said: “I am enthused by the honour and opportunity afforded to me by the award of this fellowship. Exposure to global surgery has influenced my drive and dedication for training in paediatric surgery. I view this fellowship as a formalised route to establish a relationship with Operation Childlife, to understand the needs and challenges that missions embrace, and so form a beginning to a consultant career marked by altruism and involvement in global surgery provision.”

Dr Deacy said: “I am beyond excited to have received the fellowship. I have admired the work of Operation Childlife for many years and am delighted to have the opportunity to join their team.”

Upskilling professionals

Operation Childlife is an Irish based charity with the vision 'that all children deserve compassionate and expert healthcare, which should be delivered in their own environment'.

To this end, Operation Childlife brings bring life-saving and transforming surgeries and other healthcare initiatives to children in low and middle-income countries, while also educating and upskilling local medical professionals, thereby adding capacity and making local healthcare systems more sustainable.

Global health

Operation Childlife’s mission, vision and values are all driven by medical altruism, which underpins all of their activities and a central goal of their operation is to encourage and grow a commitment to altruism amongst medical students, trainees and professionals.

Operation Childlife operates to best international practice and wish to be both evidence-based and to contribute to the evidence base in the areas of medical altruism and global health.

This fellowship reflects RCSI’s commitment to improving health and well-being, which is Sustainable Development Goal 3. The institution has a track-record in supporting the global effort to improve access to safe and timely surgical care in communities with significant unmet need.

Find more information about the Operation Childlife Clinical Travel Fellowship here.

 
 
 
Midland Region "Doing the Rounds" Roadshow
Wednesday, 19 April 2023
 
 

RCSI President Professor Laura Viani warmly invites our Fellows and Members, Trainees, Trainers and NCHDs in Offaly, Roscommon, Mullingar, Laois, Tipperary, Westmeath and Galway East to a meeting in Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (Scott Building, HSE). 


RCSI President Professor Laura Viani warmly invites our Fellows and Members, Trainees, Trainers and NCHDs in Offaly, Roscommon, Mullingar, Laois, Tipperary, Westmeath and Galway East to a meeting in Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (Scott Building, HSE). 

 

This is an opportunity for you to engage directly with the RCSI President and the team from Surgical Affairs, and learn about how the College can support you as the next generation of the leaders in surgical practice and listen to your concerns about local issues. 

 

Prof Viani would be delighted if you could join her and the team for dinner afterwards.

 

You can register for this event HERE and we look forward to seeing you there.

 

 
 
MedProf23 - Professionalism: The Cost of Caring
Friday, 28 April 2023
 
 

RCSI Centre for Professionalism in Medicine and Health Sciences, supported by the Bon Secours Health System (Lead Sponsor) and Medical Protection Society are delighted to announce the date for our annual conference: Professionalism: The Cost of Caring


RCSI Centre for Professionalism in Medicine and Health Sciences, supported by the Bon Secours Health System (Lead Sponsor) and Medical Protection Society are delighted to announce the date for our annual conference:

 

Professionalism : The Cost of Caring

 

Join us on the 28th April 2023 for a day of exciting talks & presentations.

 

This year we are delighted to host a hybrid (online and in person) event which gives you the opportunity to participate and engage with our conference, no matter where you are in the world.

 

The event focuses on Medical Professionalism and promises to be a great day of exciting talks and presentations from an international panel of speakers from Canada, USA, Australia, UK, UAE and Ireland! We will be joined by colleagues such as Johanna Westbrook from University of Sydney, Colin West from the Mayo Clinic and Yvonne Steinert from McGill, Dr Henry Marsh of "Do No Harm" fame, amongst many others.

 

Download MedProf agenda

 

Registration for the online event is FREE!

Please note there is a nominal fee to attend in person

5 CPD points.

 

To register, please click here.

 

Put the date in your diary and register now.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and use #MedProf23

 
 
WHO: Fifth Global Forum
Tuesday, 4 April 2023
 
 

As part of the WHO: Fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences; the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community and DoH will host an online parallel session entitled 'Two innovative approaches to scaling-up the healthcare workforce – comparative case studies from Ireland and Africa'.


As part of the WHO: Fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences; the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community and DoH will host an online parallel session entitled 'Two innovative approaches to scaling-up the healthcare workforce – comparative case studies from Ireland and Africa'.

 

This online session will take place at 9.45am on 4 April 2023. The 90-minute session will comprise of panel presentations, group work and an interactive Q&A session, and will draw on the experiences of practitioners from the fields of nursing and midwifery, physician associates and non-physician clinician surgeons; and senior Irish and African health planners.

 

The speakers will use examples from Ireland and sub-Saharan Africa, comparing the different healthcare systems in place in these locations, exploring the evidence and experiences from establishing two innovative health workforce models. The session will address challenges in establishing these models, they will include decentralised models of education for expanding the skills and roles of existing health professionals; and establishing new health workforce cadres, to whom basic and essential clinical skills can be task-sharing, having traditionally been undertaken by health professionals whose training is longer and more expensive.  

 

Chairing the event is Professor Thomas Kearns, Executive Director of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. 

Speakers include:

  • Professor Yoswa Mbulalina Dambisya, Director General of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), Tanzania
  • Professor Lisa Mustone Alexander EdD, MPH, PA-C, Director of the RCSI Physician Associate Programme (Ireland)
  • Professor Eric Borgstein, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi
  • Ms Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Ireland

Download Programme Flyer

 

To register, please click here

 
 
Online information session for our MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice and Master of Surgery (MCh) by Module
Thursday, 20 April 2023
 
 

Learn more about our postgraduate academic programmes in surgery and medicine developed to support the career development of non-consultant hospital doctors in Ireland.


Learn more about our postgraduate academic programmes in surgery and medicine developed to support the career development of non-consultant hospital doctors in Ireland.

 

RCSI will host an online information session on Thursday, 20 April 2023 at 6pm for both our Master of Surgery (MCh) by Module and MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice programmes.

This upcoming live information session will provide a number of benefits to prospective candidates which include:

  • The opportunity to learn more about our flexible and established postgraduate academic programmes from key programme faculty which include Professor John O’Byrne, Programme Director, MCh by Module/MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice and Dr Marie Morris, Programme Lead, MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.
  • The possibility to gain an understanding on key programme areas, such as course breakdown, funding, eligibility criteria, learning outcomes, key application timelines, etc.

Registration:

To register for this event, please click here

 

Please note:

  • Please pre-submit any questions you have may have about either programme prior to commencing your application for September 2023 intake.
  • This event will be hosted live via our YouTube channel.
  • Applications for both programmes are now open and will close on Monday, 17 July 2023.

 

If you have any queries, please email surgerymarketing@rcsi.com