RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) hosted annual Christmas lunch for senior citizens of the local community, a tradition that has been going for more than 25 years. This year, attendees were joined by Elysha Brennan, RCSI student and current Rose of Tralee. The lunch, for senior citizens living in the catchment area of the College, is organised by the REACH (Recreation Education And Community Health) RCSI programme, supported voluntarily by RCSI staff and is sponsored by the College. The festivities, held on Tuesday 1st December, included a Christmas lunch and afternoon of music and dancing.


Pictured (l-r) is Catherine Riley, Elysha Brennan, Ann Boyle and Mary Kelly having great fun pulling a christmas cracker the annual RCSI Christmas lunch for senior citizens of the local community. More than 100 senior citizens aged between 60 to 90 years attended the Christmas celebrations. Mick Doherty entertain the crowd with his music for the afternoon.

The senior citizens were joined by Elysha Brennan, who was crowned Rose of Tralee in August. Elysha captured the hearts of the nation during the competition when she spoke of her passions including a love for the Late Late Show, her difficulties with learning to drive, her ambitions to be a paediatrician and her triumph over adversity after being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma (a form of leukaemia) weeks before her Leaving Cert began.


Guests hit the floor with Elysha!

Speaking on the annual Christmas lunch, Maria Kelly, REACH RCSI Manager said "Its fantastic to keep up this long-standing RCSI tradition and to have Elysha volunteer from her very busy schedule is brilliant. The annual Christmas lunch really does mark the beginning of Christmas at RCSI. Thanks to the staff who are also volunteering their time and very much enjoy giving something back to the local community."


Maureen doesnt look like she is in the Christmas spirit at all!

The REACH RCSI programme was established in 2007 to encourage and facilitate third level participation and enhance the life chances for those traditionally underrepresented at third level, particularly those from Dublins South Inner City.

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

For more information on the annual lecture and on the Irish Forum for Global Health, visit www.globalhealth.ie.

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

Today, a new community play amenity and garden in York Street Flat Complex in Dublin was opened. This was the culmination of a year-long community partnership project between local residents of York Street, RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) Dublin City Council (DCC), the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The amenity was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh and Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI to local children from York Street and from St Endas National School, Whitefriar Street.


Maria Kelly (REACH RCSI Programme; Gerry Doyle, York Street resident; Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh and Professor Hannah McGee are pictured with local kids and residents of York Street

This innovative play space will offer children and young people of the local community in the catchment area of the College, a new form of free play which has an emphasis on imagination and social interaction. Its carefully planned installations including hills and mounds, a sandpit, slide, a giant blackboard, oversized picnic table, log benches, mud kitchen and a tree house. The amenity space is splashed with vibrant colour due to a new garden, planted by local resident, Gerard Doyle.


The playground is open!

Speaking at the opening of the play area, Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI said, "It is fantastic to see the finished play area and community garden which, Im sure will bring a lot of happiness and pride to the local community, both young and old. The REACH programme at RCSI is committed to developing the education and health of our community and this amenity will no doubt contribute greatly to lifelong participation in recreational activities of our local young people."


Charlie Roe plays hopscotch with the Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh praised the new play area and said, "I congratulate all involved in designing and facilitating this new play amenity in York Street Complex. This is the second of six playground projects whereby Dublin City Council creates and increases play opportunities within an imaginative redesigned space. I hope that all the local children get lots of opportunities to get out and play here and have lots of fun."


High 5 from the Dean! Thomas Moran having fun with Prof Hannah McGee and Maria Kelly

Dublin City has nearly 70,000 children under 12 years of age living in the city (and 181,638 under 18) which presents a very real issue of access to quality playgrounds and open spaces around the city. York Street Play area redevelopment is part of the ‘Outside the Box project. This initiative is a new way of thinking about and facilitating play for children and young people living in Dublin City Council housing and flat complexes.


Pictured (l-r) is Rocco Roche (8), Wai Cruen So (7) and Matheo Narona (7) who where some of the first to play the new community play space and garden

York Street playground redevelopment arose through a consultative process with staff from Dublin City Council, children and young people from the local community and the York Street Play Committee. The project is also aligned with the aims of the REACH RCSI programme which was established in 2007. The REACH RCSI Programme is a unique Community Outreach and Access programme at RCSI, promoting Recreation Education And Community Health. The initiative is aimed at encouraging and facilitating third level participation and enhancing life chances for those traditionally underrepresented at third level, particularly those from Dublins South Inner City.

The York Street Play Committee is made up of local residents Gerard Doyle, Janice Kiernan and Therese Roe, as well as Maria Kelly (REACH RCSI Programme), Debbie Clarke (DCC Play Development Officer) and Gerard Geoghegan, (DCC Housing Department)

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) conferred more than 200 healthcare professionals with postgraduate awards at a conferring ceremony which took place in the College on 7th December. In surgery, these awards included Fellowships of RCSI in Cardiothoracic Surgery; General Surgery; Neurosurgery; Ophthalmology; Oral and Maxillofacial; Otolaryngology; Plastic Surgery; Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery; Urology; and Fellowships Ad Eundem. Memberships of RCSI were awarded including Memberships in ENT and Ophthalmology.

Fellowships of the Faculty of Radiologists in Radiodiagnosis and a Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists Ad Eundem were conferred. In Dentistry, Fellowships were awarded in Oral Surgery; Oral Surgery with Oral Medicine; Orthodontics; Periodontics; Prosthodontics; and Fellowships of the Faculty of Dentistry Ad Eundem. Memberships of the Faculty of Dentistry, Memberships in General Dental Surgery and Diplomas of Primary Care Dentistry were also conferred. Fellowships of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, including Fellowships Ad Eundem were awarded at the ceremony. The Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine awarded a Fellowship by Election, Fellowships Ad Eundem and a Membership of the Faculty.

Internationally renowned colorectal surgeon Professor Neil Mortensen was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of RCSI at the ceremony. He was Professor of Colorectal Surgery in the University of Oxford Medical School and worked at the Oxford University Hospitals from 1987 until his recent retirement. Following his appointment to Oxford he campaigned for the recognition of colorectal surgery as a specialty in the UK and Ireland and championed the development of minimal access techniques in the UK including Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery and more recently robotics in colorectal surgery. He founded the first patient association for those with ileoanal pouches, The Kangaroo Club, and in 2004 the Charity OCCTOPUS- Oxford Colon Cancer Trust which supports education, research and new technology in colorectal diseases. He has an extensive research portfolio, publishing over 300 original papers, 30 book chapters and editing eight books. He is currently Editor in Chief of the journal Colorectal Disease.

Mr Declan J Magee, President of RCSI said "I would like to congratulate all of our conferring candidates on their achievements and on reaching this important and exciting stage in their careers. For some, today is an important milestone which places them securely on the training ladder and for others it is a statement of completion of a comprehensive training programme and rigorous assessment process to the highest standards, enabling them to now practice as a specialist. Today we recognise our candidates application to their training and their dedication and commitment to their patients and their profession."

"I congratulate Dr Professor Neil Mortensen, on his award of Honorary Fellowship of RCSI, a most worthy recipient of the highest honour this College has to offer for his outstanding contributions to colorectal surgery, and the treatment of colorectal diseases," Mr Magee concluded.

Professor Simon Cross, Council Member, who will read the citation for Honorary Fellowship recipient Professor Mortensen, RCSI said: "The most important legacy that he will leave is the knowledge and desire for improved patient care that he has instilled in his trainees. It is for these reasons that he is held in such high regard by the many national and international fellows who have worked with him."

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

RCSI Dubai has awarded 72 graduates with masters degrees and postgraduate diploma at its annual conferring ceremony at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center in Dubai. The graduates were presented with their certificates by Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the ceremony.

Graduates pictured at the ceremony in Dubai

The graduates represent a broad spectrum of health professionals and include consultants, doctors, nurses, health managers, educators, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and other allied healthcare professionals who come from a wide variety of public and private health sector organisations. 35 graduates were conferred with an MSc in Healthcare Management, 21 were conferred with an MSc in Quality and Safety in Healthcare Management, 12 were conferred with an MSc in Leadership in Health Professions Education and four were conferred with postgraduate diplomas.

Pictured (l-r) are Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Dalal Alhasan (MSc Leadership in Health Professions Education)

Professor Ciaran OBoyle Director of the Institute of Leadership said "This conferring represents the highlight of our academic year. It is wonderful to see our graduates develop into the kind of leaders who can contribute to the ongoing development of healthcare in the UAE."

Pictured (l-r) are Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Rasha Younis Ahmed Elkattawy (MSc Healthcare Management)

Pictured (l-r) are Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mahmoud Ghyad Khalil Shaat (MSc Quality & Safety in Healthcare Management)

Graduates celebrate along with academics at the close of the ceremony

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

A former postdoctoral researcher at the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) Department of Anatomy, Professor David Hoey has been named as one of three recipients of prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie COFUND award for work done during a fellowship at RCSI. These prizes reward excellence in research by selecting the most promising scientists who received funding under the MSCA COFUND Schemes for their respective projects carried out between 2008 and 2015.


Prof David Hoey

The award was given, from the Horizon 2020 programme, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to research into how stem cells within our bones can sense physical activity when we exercise and then start to regenerate new bone. Professor Hoey received his grant while registered through RCSI with Professor Fergal OBrien (Professor of Bioengineering & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Anatomy) as his Principal Investigator.

Professor Hoey, now Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, said "My research focused on a hair-like antenna on a cell surface called the primary cilium which I believe is critical for this exercise induced bone formation. With approximately 200 million people suffering from this disease worldwide, this research could potentially be used to develop new treatments for bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis by mimicking the beneficial effects of exercise."
He was honoured on Thursday 11th December by the European Commission at a ceremony in Luxembourg, where he was joined by the two other MSCA fellows, Julien Meyer (Laboratoire Gipsa, Grenoble, France) and Aiden Doherty (University of Oxford, UK).

Speaking on this award, Professor Fergal OBrien said, "I am delighted for David and I am proud to have worked with him on this hugely successful project. The MSCA funding has provided David with a platform that enabled him to enhance and diversify his research expertise and skillset to the highest international level and it is clear that his is conducting ground breaking research that will have a meaningful impact on human health. I wish David even further successes in the future."

The MSCA COFUND is named after the Polish-French scientist and twice Nobel laureate, known for her work on radioactivity. The COFUND action is meant for organisations that fund or manage doctoral programmes or fellowship programmes for researchers. Each COFUND proposal should have a sole participant, which could be a government ministry, regional authority, funding agency, university, research organisation, research academy or enterprise.

Professor Hoey was based at Columbia University in New York from 2009-2011 where he held the COFUND postdoctoral fellowship that was funded jointly by the Irish Research Council (IRC) and the Marie Sklodowska Curie COFUND International Mobility Fellowship in Science, Engineering and Technology called INSPIRE. The funding, worth €227,577 over three years, was designed to facilitate early stage researchers to gain international experience at top institutions in the world. He returned to RCSI for a year to work in the Tissue Engineering Research Group with Prof OBrien before being appointed as a lecturer in biomedical engineering in University of Limerick where he started his independent research career in 2012. Dr. Hoey continues to expand on this ground-breaking blue-sky research with a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant and he has recently moved to Trinity College Dublin as an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering.

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

New research into the causes of epilepsy, led by scientists at RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), has identified new approaches to drug therapy that could potentially revolutionise how epilepsy is treated in the future. The study, published in the current edition of Scientific Reports, has identified a way to target the underlying cause of epilepsy, rather than masking the symptoms, and paves the way for the development of new drugs for the condition.

The researchers looked at regions in the brain distant from the normal sites of epileptic activity and found that in these areas, a molecule known as microRNA-22 was providing a protective function. The microRNA worked by blocking a cell receptor that normally promotes inflammatory responses in the brain leading to increased excitability that is characteristic of epilepsy. Without microRNA-22, the distant brain regions developed inflammation and began to generate seizures themselves. The scientists found that directly injecting the microRNA into hyper-excitable brain regions calmed the electrical activity and reduced seizures.

Professor David Henshall, from the RCSI Department of Physiology and Medical Physics and joint senior author on the study commented: "Epilepsy affects more than 37,000 people in Ireland and our study has shown promising results for the development of new treatments. We are looking forward to the next phase of the research which will potentially lead to a new type of drug that can tackle the underlying causes of epilepsy, reducing seizures and ultimately improving quality of life for people with the condition."

The first author on the study is Dr Eva Jimenez, Research Fellow, who worked with joint senior authors Professor David Henshall and Dr Tobias Engel, Lecturer, all based at the RCSI Department of Physiology and Medical Physics and numerous international collaborators.

The findings are a result of a major four-year collaborative effort to investigate molecular mechanisms of epilepsy development. Led by the team in at RCSI in Dublin, the work features academic and industry collaborators including Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; Robert S. Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA and Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Neuroscience, San Diego, California USA .

The research was supported by a grant from Science Foundation Irelands (SFI) Starting Investigator Research Grant (SIRG) and by EpimiRNA, an international consortium funded by the EU FP7 programme, coordinated by RCSI.

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

More than 350 students from second-level schools throughout Ireland got a taste for life as a medical, pharmacy and physiotherapy student at the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) Open Day. At this annual event, Leaving Certificate students also got to experience what it is like to work as a healthcare professional in each of these fields by witnessing a live operation and a real-life pregnancy scan, among many more activities.

This day-long open day provided students with a unique opportunity to get a first-hand insight into what it would be like to be an RCSI student. A number of interactive workshops in medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy were held which gave students the unique opportunity to witness real patients being treated by RCSI professionals.

In the workshops, the students witnessed a gallbladder operation, live-streamed from Beaumont Hospital and a pregnancy scan on a mother-to-be. The students had a hands on experience as they performed surgical stitching and suturing on dummy patients, conducted a virtual reality operation on a simulator and used the latest physiotherapy technology to analyse the movement of the human body. Students also experienced the art of drug formulation and delivery in a pharmacy experiment. These are just a few of the many activities that were open to them on the day.

Secondary students also got to meet and talk with RCSI staff and students, who answered any questions they had on pursuing careers in these three areas, as well as any queries they had on student life at the College. A panel of current RCSI students were on hand to provide their perspective of life at the College.

A series of talks were held on the range of courses available at RCSI, how to apply to the College through the CAO system and information on the Health Professional Admissions Test (HPAT). Information was also available on the wide choice of clubs and societies available in RCSI as well as information on student accommodation, library and sports facilities.

Speaking on the Open Day, Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI said, "The annual Open Day is always a great opportunity for second level students to get a sense of life, both academic and social at RCSI. Of course, we know that that is not enough and we want our guests to leave with a good understanding of what it a career in healthcare would be like. Our hands-on workshops gave potential students a more holistic insight into what life really is like, not just as an RCSI student, but in their career afterwards, whether that be in medicine, pharmacy or physiotherapy."

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

A new bone regeneration product developed at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has received the CE mark, certifying it for sale throughout the EU and clearing the way for a multimillion euro fundraising drive by the Irish business bringing it to market.

Surgacoll Technologies, a High Potential Start Up (HPSU) supported by Enterprise Ireland (EI), intends to raise venture capital in two rounds over the next three to four years. By 2019 they aim to be generating annual sales of more than €50m in the European and US markets, employing 15 people in Ireland by the end of 2016 and 25 by 2019.

SurgaColl is bringing to market two highly innovative biomaterial products, based on technology developed by the Tissue Engineering Research Group at RCSI, that repair tissue via the recruitment of the body’s own cells.

The first, HydroxyColl, stimulates the regeneration of bone tissue and is a substitute for bone grafts taken from donors or the patient themselves. The second, ChondroColl, repairs articular joints by stimulating host stem cells to regenerate both bone and cartilage, using the composition and architecture of the biomaterial to actively direct tissue formation. HydroxyColl has just received CE approval and ChondrocColl will be submitted for CE mark approval in January 2016.

The products have been developed with extensive support from the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund initiative. Investors include EI, Enterprise Equity and a UK Private Equity Investment Group who supplied the initial €4m capital that has brought the first product, Hydroxycoll, to market entry and ChondroColl to regulatory submission. Funding from Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Research Board is now helping to translate ChondroColl to the clinic with first human studies expected in 2016.

HydroxyColl brings about bone healing equivalent to a patient’s own bone. It provides much more effective healing in the aftermath of high-impact bone fractures and the removal of bone tumours. It can strengthen the bone foundations of tooth implants and improve bone repair in those with low bone density such as people with osteoporosis.

ChondroColl is highly effective in the treatment of early joint cartilage damage, particularly in the knee. It is a significant advance for sports medicine. According to Prof John O’Byrne of RCSI and Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital; “This is a product with great potential for early intervention in joint injuries, minimising long-term damage and potentially reducing the risk of osteoarthritis and need for knee replacement surgery.”
SurgaColl has now launched HydroxyCollTM for commercial sale in selected EU markets. It is manufactured in Ireland on behalf of SurgaColl by Harmac Medical Products, with contract manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Ireland and Mexico.

Dr John Gleeson, CEO, Co-Founder, and director of SurgaColl believes HydroxyColl and SurgaColl’s pipeline of products has significant potential to improve dramatically on the more traditional orthopaedic grafting procedures and recovery outcomes. Dr Gleeson explains;
“Most products on the market support bone healing but don’t actively direct it. Products that do drive tissue repair do so with the aid of pharmaceuticals. Our products’ unique selling point is that they are drug-free and as such, free of drug-related safety concerns. We are now entering a very exciting period where we will see first human implantations of the approved HydroxyColl product in a diverse range of trauma indications at a number of sites across the EU.”

Prof. Fergal O’Brien, Professor of Bioengineering & Regenerative Medicine, Head of the Tissue Engineering Research Group in RCSI & SurgaColl Co-Founder explains; “The approval of HydroxyColl is the culmination of almost a decade of research, development and commercial scale up. I am delighted and proud to see technologies developed in our labs translate to the benefit of patients and society. This is also great for Ireland as it will potentially see the expansion of SurgaColl Technologies with more jobs created down the line as the follow–on technology, ChondroColl, developed in RCSI for cartilage repair is also expected to be in clinical studies in due course”.
Dr Aoife Gallagher, RCSI’s Head of Innovation, said: “We are delighted to see the results of high quality research at RCSI now making its way to the international market. The most worthwhile medical research ultimately leads to better outcomes and quality of life for patients, and this is an example of success in bringing research from the lab to a point where it can improve the lives of real people.”

The Times Higher Education World (THE) University Rankings announced today the top 200 institutions by ‘International Outlook. RCSI has increased its position from 49th in the world in 2015 to 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook’ The announcement was made following on from the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in October 2015 which ranked RCSI in the #251 – 300 category, leaping forward from its 2014-2015 ranking of #389.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016 lists the best global universities and are the only international university performance tables to judge world class universities across all of their core missions - teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. The top universities rankings employ 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available

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The data produced this today by Times Higher Education analysed the ‘International Outlook’ sub-category which gives credits to universities for international students and staff as well as research publications with international partners.
Professor Cathal Kelly, RCSI Chief Executive said “We are very pleased to be seen in the top 50 institutions in the world in terms of International Outlook. As RCSI’s international reputation is of significant importance, it is encouraging to be recognised among the world’s top 50 most international universities.”

Mr Phil Baty, Editor of Times Higher Education Rankings said “An institution’s global outlook is one of the key markers of a prestigious university. The top institutions hire faculty from all over the world, attract students from a global market of top talent and collaborate with leading departments wherever they happen to be based. It is great news for all the institutions in the list of the most international universities in the world. It is a sign of great potential, competitiveness and dynamism.”

RCSI is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

Islet transplantation, a treatment, not currently available for people with type 1 diabetes in Ireland, will be a major focus of the Fourth Annual 3U Partnership International Diabetes Conference entitled ‘Current Challenges in Diabetes Research’ which takes place at RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) in Dublin today.

Islet transplantation involves the replacement of islets of the pancreas, which contain the cells that make insulin. These cells are lacking in patients with type 1 diabetes. The research will be presented by Professor James Shaw, Chair of the UK Islet Transplant Consortium.

Dr Diarmuid Smith, Consultant Endocrinologist at Beaumont Hospital and member of the 3U Diabetes Partnership said “Transplant of islets, while never likely to be a treatment for all patients with type 1 diabetes, can be life-changing for some patients, in particular those who struggle to recognise and manage low blood sugar readings (hypoglycaemia) due to insulin treatment. Although this treatment has been available for almost twenty years in centres in North America and Europe, Irish patients are still not able to avail of it. We believe that this treatment should be available for patients in Ireland who would most benefit from it. Thankfully most of our patients with type 1 can manage their diabetes well enough with daily insulin injections or using a pump, but for some, hypoglycaemia can be distressing, dangerous and can seriously compromise their quality of life and for this cohort of people it has proven benefit. Although pancreas transplantation is available to patients in Ireland it is usually reserved for patients that also need kidney transplants. Over the past couple of years we have been working to develop a programme for Irish patients with support from colleagues in the UK, but investment locally is now required to get this programme off the ground.”

Researchers from the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Ireland will gather to address the conference which will focus on hot topics in research into both type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the commonest chronic diseases in Ireland affecting an estimated 4-5% of the population.

Other talks at the 3U Partnership conference will focus on the effect of hypoglycaemia on the brain, how damage to the islets of the pancreas contributes to the development of the more common form of diabetes, type 2 and the emerging role of hormones made in the intestines on obesity and diabetes.

Diabetes is a priority research focus of the 3U Partnership, which brings together the academic strengths of Dublin City University, Maynooth University and RCSI to enhance education and research opportunities across the three partner institutions. The 3U Diabetes Consortium, comprising clinicians and scientists from the three institutions, is committed to developing cutting edge research into this chronic and costly disease in Ireland and aligns a number of interlinked areas of research into the condition extending from identifying and developing new molecules with therapeutic potential to providing world class diabetes care and treatments in the clinic
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The Director of 3U Diabetes, Dr Donal O’Gorman of the School of Health and Human Performance at DCU, commented that ‘we are delighted to welcome such an impressive group of researchers to the 3U for this year’s conference. The faculty attending the conference will include clinical and basic science researchers from North America and Europe who will share their current research findings with us and discuss the challenges of managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This is timely given that the prevalence of both forms of diabetes is increasing year on year.”

Outgoing Clinical Lead for Diabetes, Dr. Ronan Canavan, will address the conference to update the group regarding the developments in diabetes care during his tenure. Dr. Canavan, Consultant Endocrinologist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital said “we have made significant progress in diabetes care delivery over the last three years in Ireland and it is timely to review that progress. However, the evidence that guides our clinical management and development of services is based on the research accomplished by researchers such as those gathered here today and it is for that reason that I am particularly delighted to have this opportunity to address the 3U Diabetes Conference.”

The meeting will be opened by Dr. Ruth Davis, Director of the 3U Partnership, who said “the 3U Diabetes meeting has become one of the most important events in the diabetes calendar over the last 4 years. It is also an important event for the three partner institutions and has allowed the consortium to develop collaborative links with leading institutions in the world of diabetes research. It is envisaged that these links will foster training opportunities for young Irish researchers and contribute significantly to the evolution and sustainability of the important 3U Partnership.’

Opportunity for students to ask questions on medical career

The third and final episode of the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) interactive live-streamed broadcast for second-level students, ‘So You Want To Be A Doctor? will give viewers an insight into the lives of four doctors working in four diverse specialities. Students will also be able to use this opportunity to ask questions they may have on studying medicine ahead of the CAO deadline of 1st February. The broadcast airs this evening, Tuesday 19th January at 6pm and is a three-part series for students in transition, fifth and sixth year who may be considering a career as a doctor.


Click on the image above at 6pm this evening to watch the broadcast

This episode, presented by Professor Arnold Hill, Head of the School of Medicine, RCSI, will give viewers an insight into the careers of a General Practitioner (GP), a Gastroenterologist, a Neurosurgeon and a Breast surgeon, who all began their respective careers by studying medicine.

The programme brings viewers to the practice of GP, Professor Susan Smith, who is also Professor of Primary Care Medicine at RCSI. Susan will speak about why she chose a career as a family GP and take viewers on a tour of the practice in Inchicore, Dublin. Viewers will also be brought to Beaumont Hospital to experience a day in the life of Consultant Gastroenterologist, Professor Frank Murray. He will outline what a gastroenterologist does and some of the most common illnesses patients present with.

Then we go into theatre for our final two doctors as Consultant Neurosurgeon, Professor Ciaran Bolger performs an operation on the brain and outlines the patients case and tells the audience about what it is like performing such high pressure surgical procedures. Finally, Professor Arnold Hill will describe his specialty as a Breast Surgeon and will bring viewers through his research labs in Beaumont Hospital and detail their progress in treating breast cancer. He will also bring us into theatre where he is performing a procedure on a patient.

There will be a live-streamed question and answer session with Professor Hill at the end of the episode. With the CAO application deadline looming on the 1st February 2016, this is a great opportunity for students to ask any questions they may have on studying medicine as well as application procedures, questions on the HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test), as well as on anything they have watched in the episode.

Speaking ahead of the broadcast, Professor Hill said, "As this is the final programme in this series, we will introduce four doctors so to give our audience an insight into as many of the different careers studying medicine will open up to them. It is important that those who may be filling out their CAO application, or for those who may be considering a change of mind at a later stage, make a well informed decision especially when choosing to study medicine which leads to careers that are vocations."

Students can send in their comments and questions via Twitter (@RCSI_Irl) and Facebook using #RCSIBeADoc. Alternatively, they can send them in by email to beadoc@rcsi.ie. Prof Hill will try to address as many questions as possible live on air.

Students can pre-register on the RCSI website at www.rcsi.ie/beadoc and they will be sent a link to the stream via email on the morning of each broadcast. All they have to do then is click on the link at the time of broadcast to watch the broadcast from a PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Or if you do not register in advance, you can still watch the stream on the RCSI website (www.rcsi.ie) or on the Colleges Twitter (twitter.com/RCSI_Irl) and Facebook pages.

If you missed the two other episodes of ‘So You Want To Be A Doctor? you can watch them back here.

RCSI is ranked 46th in the world for ‘International Outlook and #251 - 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-2016). It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.

For the first time under the Erasmus+ programme, 12 Irish higher education institutions will be able to send and receive students and staff to regions outside of the EU/EEA. The development which will link the selected institutions with over 70 universities on all continents has been made possible by the award of over €1m by the Erasmus+ National Agency at the Higher Education Authority. The successful institutions were formally congratulated by Damien English TD, Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation at an event in Iveagh House, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, St Stephens Green, Dublin.


Pictured (l-r) is Mr Damien English TD , Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation; Professor Marc Devocelle, RCSI; and HEA Chief Executive Tom Boland.

RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) received an award for pioneering in the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility Programme. Professor Marc Devocelle received the award on behalf of RCSI as the Colleges Erasmus Officer. Prof Devocelle is also Associate Professor of Chemistry at RCSI. The success of the award is a testament to the submissions and work of the RCSI School of Pharmacy and School of Postgraduate Studies.

HEA Chief Executive Tom Boland comments "I congratulate the institutions which have been successful and have demonstrated their intention to spread Irelands global educational reach. Education at all levels has been at the heart of the development of Ireland and there is much we can contribute from that experience. But equally in a world where interdependence is a growing necessity - there is much we can learn from partners in all parts of the globe. This initiative supported by the Erasmus+ programme is a most positive step in that direction."

The funding which is provided under the International Credit Mobility action of Erasmus+ will support student and staff mobilities to and from over 70 universities in Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, Georgia, Hong Kong, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Palestine, Russian Federation, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine and the USA.

Of more than 270 students and staff who will benefit from the funding almost 120 will be from Irish higher education institutions.

A new study on stroke survivors, led by the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) School of Physiotherapy in conjunction with Irish Heart Foundation and the National Rehabilitation Hospital, explored the factors facilitating and impeding a return to work following a stroke in an Irish context using a mixed methods approach.


Pictured (l-r) is Dr Frances Horgan, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI; Dr Eithne Fitzgerald (CEO, National Disability Authority), Colm Brannigan, Research Fellow, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI) and Mary Walsh (Research Fellow/PhD student, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI).

The research led to the publication of two reports: ‘Exploring the Factors Related to Return to Work after Stroke and ‘Exploring the impact of fatigue on work ability of people with Rheumatic Diseases which examined the factors associated with a return to work after a stroke and the in-work barriers that face someone with a rheumatic disease.

Both reports emphasise the need to educate employers and colleagues about the nature of these conditions as well as the importance of communication between healthcare professionals and employers regarding the best way to assist people with these conditions.

Dr Frances Horgan, Senior Lecturer at the RCSI School of Physiotherapy, led the research team from with Dr Rose Galvin, Mary Walsh, Colm Brannigan, Irish Heart Foundation; Chris Macey, Cliona McCormack, Emma-Jane Morrissey and the National Rehabilitation Hospital; Professor Mark Delargy, Professor Jacinta Morgan, Lisa Held and Fiona Ryan.

This report was launched at the National Disability Authority (NDA) on January 21st 2016, and was funded by NDA under the Research Promotion Scheme 2014

In Ireland over 10,000 people experience a stroke each year. About one third of stroke survivors are under 65 years of age. Return to work after stroke is often perceived as a critical marker of recovery and contributes to overall well-being and life satisfaction of survivors.

Key Findings from the reports:
• The most common problems limiting ability to work were mental fatigue (84%), physical fatigue (78%) and difficulties thinking (78%).

• 82% of stroke survivors were working prior to their stroke but only 41% had resumed some work within six months after their stroke and only 32% were working fulltime one year after their stroke.

• Those who felt work was somewhat important and were younger at the time of their stroke were more likely to return to work.

• There was a significant reduction in working hours from a pre-stroke average of 46.6 hours to a post stroke average of 29 hours, and 59% reported that their household income has decreased.

• Supportive employers and work colleagues were key to facilitating a return to work.

• A gradual phased return to work was particularly important in addition to support from colleagues.

• Return to work can take several years to complete, during which stroke survivors may lose confidence in their ability to re-engage with the workforce. To maintain financial security, stroke survivors often engage with the social welfare system which is confusing to navigate and there may be a fear factor in returning to work and thereby losing benefits, which were previously relied upon.

The National Disability Authoritys Director, Siobhán Barron, welcomed this very timely research saying, "The findings indicate the practical realities for some workers and those who may be seeking to work. They will inform the work underway to implement the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities to ensure better employment opportunities and supports in work for people with disabilities. We will be sharing the research with the new Employer Helpline and Support Initiative being led by ISME, IBEC and Chambers of Commerce to provide employers with an expert peer source of advice and information on employing staff with disabilities, with a view to enhancing confidence and competence to employ, manage and retain staff with disabilities. "

Funding for both projects came from grants awarded under the National Disability Authoritys Research Promotion Scheme.