RCSI Institute of Leadership welcomes Mr Barry Holmes RCSI Human Resources Director

Mr Barry Holmes RCSI Human Resources Director presented to the Masters in Leadership and Management Development Group 2010/2012 on the subject of staff engagement as a key requirement for organisations.

Pictured (l-r): Ms Frances Campbell, Ms Grainne Bauer, Mr Barry Holmes, RCSI Human Manager, Ms Clara Murtagh, Ms Anne McCabe Kelly, Ms Marie Colbett -staff at Childrens University Hospital, Temple Street and St Michaels Hospital Dun Laoghaire

Institute of Leadership Student receives Nurse of the Year Award 2011

Clara Murtagh, Clinical Nurse Manager at Childrens University Hospital Temple Street, was nominated by staff, patients and families for the Nurse of The Year Award 2011, which was sponsored by the Irish Daily Mail.

Pictured (l-r): Ms Clare McLaughlin and Ms Clara Murtagh, Nurse of the Year 2011

1st December 2011

Hermitage Medical Clinic CEO presents in RCSI Institute of Leadership

Mr Eamonn Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Hermitage Medical Clinic presented to the Masters in Leadership and Management Development Group 2010/2012. The session was titled "The Role of the Independent Sector in Irish Healthcare".

Sibeal Carolan Programme Director said "This session was part of a module which focussed on staff engagement, workforce planning and organisational well being, Eamonns presentation was very informative and applicable".

Pictured (l-r): Ms Clare Mc Laughlin, Ms Frances Campbell and Ms Ronke class participants and Mr Eamonn Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Hermitage Medical Clinic

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Dubai (RCSI–Dubai) hosted its annual conferring ceremony at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center in Dubai Healthcare City on Wednesday 30th November 2011. This year’s ceremony was held under the patronage of Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Attending the event on behalf of HRH Princess Haya was His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, DirectorGeneral, Dubai Health Authority.

As part of the ceremony, H.E. Al Murooshid conferred Masters degrees on students graduating in Quality and Safety in Healthcare and in Healthcare Management.

Al Murooshid said, “Promoting higher education in all fields in is line with the vision of our rulers and an important aspect of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015. Gaining higher educational qualifications in the field of healthcare is of pertinent importance to ensure we further enhance the health sector in the Emirate and provide the highest level of quality healthcare to our population and visitors alike.”

RCSI - Dubai graduating class and faculty following the Masters Conferring Ceremony

These accredited, postgraduate degrees issued by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Institute of Leadership in Dubai puts the new graduates in a prime position to help shape the region’s healthcare sector.

RCSI is a not-for-profit global healthcare education organisation founded in 1784. The RCSI Institute of Leadership began operations in Dubai in 2006 and it is continuing to grow, with an increasing number of students graduating every year. This year’s graduation brings the number of health professionals who have graduated from the Institute in Dubai to over 300.

In her address, RCSI President, Eilis McGovern said ‘’we are proud of the fact that many of our RCSI Alumni now hold senior positions within the healthcare systems of Dubai, the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority presenting Valedictorian Dr. Sawsan Al Mahdi with her Masters degree in Healthcare Management

‘’Our graduates will have an important role to play in the context of a changing healthcare delivery system and contribute not only to improved patient outcomes but also reducing the risk of harm to patients. As a global provider of education, we are proud to provide the opportunity for our students to be exposed to differing cultures and new ways of thinking.“

Professor Ciaran O’Boyle, Director of the RCSI Institute of Leadership, referred to a recent scientific survey of previous graduates of these programmes, “we are delighted that our programmes are contributing to improving healthcare in the region. 80-90% of graduates from our previous Dubai programmes have achieved promotion in their jobs. Graduates reported significant increases in their leadership abilities, their capacity to work in a team, the effectiveness of their communication, and in their ability to solve problems, initiate change and introduce new ideas to solve complex healthcare problems”.

Other addresses at the graduation included those by President and CEO of RCSI, Professor Cathal Kelly, on the importance of leadership in healthcare and an opening by Dean of the RCSI Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor Hannah McGee.

This week’s earlier RCSI-Dubai Alumni event on 29th November, sponsored by ProVita International Medical Center Abu Dhabi, was held with the objective of further developing relationships with Alumni throughout the Middle East. RSCI–Dubai Alumni include, Dr. Ahmad Bin Kalban (CEO, Primary Healthcare Service Sector, DHA), Dr. Ali Obaidily (Chief Medical Officer, SEHA), Ibtesam Bastaki (Head of Health Section, Prime Minister’s Office), Hayder Mohammed Khalaf Al Zubaidy (CEO Canadian Speciality hospital) Magi Livadaris (General Manager, ProVita), Adele Smiddy (Chairperson, Irish Business Network Dubai), Diana Grobler (Director of Nursing, Welcare Hospital),.

According to RCSI-Dubai Alumni President, Dr Mohammad Al Redha, Head of eHealth and Acting Director of Health Data and Information Analysis Department at the DHA “This type of event is essential to furthering the regional dialogue about Medicine and Surgery, Healthcare Management and Quality and Safety practices. The RCSI Alumni have an opportunity to raise the bar for the UAE’s healthcare standards and such events provide a platform for information sharing and idea generation.”

Pictured from (l-r) are sisters Christine Webster and Bridie Quinn from the Liberties, Dublin.

Pictured from (l-r ) are Anna Owens, Bridie Clemenger and Madge Ryder, The Liberties, Dublin.

More than 60 senior citizens aged between 60 to 90 years of age attended the Christmas lunch which incorporates music, singing, dancing and raffles.

Pictured from (l-R) are Eileen Eustace, Pimlico Flats and Marie Dalton, Mercer House.

Pictured from (l-r) are Bridie Clemenger, York Street and Anna Owens.

Prof. Cathal Kelly, Registrar / CEO of RCSI said ‘Every year we look forward to welcoming our local senior citizens to the College. The annual event is much anticipated by the locals and offers a good distraction from the cold days of winter! The staff of RCSI who organise the lunch do so voluntarily and they very much enjoy giving something back to the local community.

Pictured from ( l-r) are sisters Christine Webster and Bridie Quinn from The Liberties, Dublin.

Pictured from (l-R) are Nancy Greeley and Iveagh Trust and Teresa Tate, Bride Street, Dublin

The RHA School in association with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) & Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) launched a 3D video presentation called ‘Anatomists, Engineers & Artists - Anatomy from the Outside In’ in the RHA Gallery on Thursday 8th December 2011.

Medical students are reluctant models, so getting one to take off his shirt to demonstrate the surface anatomy of the heart valves can be a challenge. Yet surface anatomy is the basis of clinical examination and students must learn where to listen to the heart, the markings of the liver, the sites of incisions and the movements of joints – in short the site of everything from the outside in. Artists and art students don’t always have access to a live model either, and for them a knowledge of the underlying skeletal and muscular structure is fundamental to drawing and painting the figure.

Pictured (l-r) are RCSI students Chelsea Garcia and Omar Eldishish

Computer aided learning is an elegant solution and anatomists Valerie Morris and Clive Lee from the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), engineers David Corrigan and Academy Award winner Anil Kokaram from Trinity College (TCD) and artists Mick O’Dea RHA and Una Sealy ARHA from the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) have spent the last 2 years in a unique collaboration sponsored by Science Foundation Ireland and RCSI.

Dr. Peter Clifford, SFI (centre, left) and Prof Clive Lee, RCSI (centre, right) pictured with RCSI Students

The result is an on-line Surface Anatomy Guide in 3D which shows the motions of muscles and the sites of structures from the surface inwards. It combines artistic representation, engineering expertise and anatomical accuracy in a four hour teaching programme currently in use by medical students in Dublin, Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur. It will be launched for surgical trainees in RCSI and in the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa. In 2012, it will be used as the basis for teaching anatomy to artists in the RHA School.

Pictured (l-r) are RCSI students Anne Ritter and Chinedum Arize

Anatomists, Engineers & Artists is an excerpt from the Surface Anatomy Guide and will be exhibited in the RHA Friends’ Room, 9th – 21st December. It shows how, by using movement, colour, illustration and 3D technology, anatomists, engineers and artists can collaborate to teach the body from the outside in.

View this item on RTE Six One News - 3D surgical training system launched

The Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (CSCB) held its 10th annual symposium exploring current research at the interface between chemistry and biology at ‘Recent Advances in Synthesis and Chemical Biology X on 9th December 2011.

The CSCB is a research collaboration between University College Dublin (UCD), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) which started in 2002 and was funded under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, Cycle 3.

Pictured (l-r) are invited speakers Professor Tim Donohue, University of Oxford; Professor Kevin Nolan, RCSI; Professor Mark Lautens, University of Toronto; Professor Christina White, University of Illinois; Professor Patrick Guiry, UCD (Director of the CSCB and Organiser of the Meeting) and Professor Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson, Trinity College Dublin.

The 200 delegates attending the meeting, which was held in UCD, were welcomed by Dr. Hugh Brady, President of UCD.

Professor Kevin Nolan, Head of the RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies and of the Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry was among five invited international speakers to deliver plenary lectures at the event. Professor Nolan described the work of his research group on ‘Chemistry and Chemical Biology of Hydroxamic Acids.

Other lectures reported research on medical applications of novel luminescent chemosensors (TG), new metal catalysed reactions (ML), C-H oxidation in synthesis (CW) and new catalytic reactions designed for the efficient synthesis of natural products (TD).

The groups of RCSIs Professor Mauro Adamo, Dr Marc Devocelle and Dr Celine Marmion presented posters respectively on novel synthetic methodologies; anticancer nanomedicines and new methods of peptide labelling; development of novel metallochemotherapeutics through rational drug design.

Pictured (l-r) are Mr. Niall Kelly (Membership of RCSI); Ms. Anna Walsh (Membership of RCSI); Mr. John Sullivan (Membership of RCSI)

Pictured (l-r) Professor Conor Murphy, Professor of Ophthalmology, RCSI; Professor Eilis McGovern, President, RCSI; Mr Ali Jalil Awad,(Fellowship of RCSI Ad Eundem); Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/ Registrar, RCSI.

A Fellowship of RCSI Ad Eundem was awarded to Ali Jalil Awad. Emer Lang received an RCSI Surgical Travelling Fellowship and an RCSI Surgical Grant was awarded to Rowan Casey.

Pictured (l-r) are Mr. Muhammad Mughees Zafar (Membership of RCSI); Professor Eilis McGovern, President, RCSI; Mr. Haseeb Anwar Khokhar (Membership of RCSI); Mr. Muhammad Imran Aslam (Membership of RCSI).

Fellowships of the Faculty of Radiologists Ad Eundem were awarded to Josephine Barry, Raymond Fielding, Charles Gillham and Leo Lawler. Fellowships of the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery Ad Eundem were conferred on Ann Begley and Charles Docherty and a Fellowship by Special Election was awarded to Thomas Kearns.

Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Charles Gillham (Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists RCSI Ad Eundem); Dr. Barry Kelly, Honorary Secretary, Faculty of Radiologists , RCSI; Dr. Patricia Daly (Fellowship in Radiation Oncology); Dr. Ciara Lyons, (Fellowship in Radiation Oncology).

Speaking at the conferring ceremony, Professor Eilis McGovern, President of RCSI congratulated new Members and Fellows on their success in reaching this exciting milestone in their careers and wished them all the very best as they continued to strive for their goals.

Pictured (l-r) are Charles Docherty (Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery Ad Eundem); Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of Department, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, RCSI; Dr. Aine Colgan, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI; Ann Begley (Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery Ad Eundem)

Pictured (l-r) are Mr. Sean Sheridan, Inspections & Recognition Committee Chair; Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI. Dr. Hieba Elkomy (Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry); Dr. Peter Cowan; Dr. Nada Mahmoud (Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry); Dr. John Walsh, Vice-Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI; Dr. Declan Corcoran; Board Member, Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI.

Pictured (l-r) are Dr. John Walsh, Vice-Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI; Dr. Hadeel Al-Ateeqi (Fellowship in General Dental Surgery); Mr. Sean Sheridan, Inspections & Recognition Committee Chair; Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI.

Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Leo Galvin (Fellowship in Radiodiagnosis); Dr. Adrian Brady, Dean, Faculty of Radiologists, RCSI; Dr. Sarah Barrett (Fellowship in Radiodiagnosis).

73% of participants aged 18-70 with balance impairment found using a computer games console motivated them more than conventional balance rehabilitation therapies.

Patients with neurological and vestibular diseases could benefit after a HRB-funded study, led by RCSI Researcher Dara Meldrum, opens the possibility of incorporating popular video games consoles into balance rehabilitation programmes.

Balance problems are common in patients with neurological and vestibular disease, and they can have a serious impact on normal daily life, according to Dara Meldrum, Lecturer in Physiotherapy and Health Research Board (HRB) Research Fellow, in the School of Physiotherapy, at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

Plus these patients are at a higher risk of fall injuries which can place significant demand on hospital services. While there is strong evidence that exercise programmes can improve balance, in practice it can be hard to get patients to stick to their programmes, simply because these exercises can be repetitive and boring and appear not related to daily life.

We wanted to see if a computer games console - the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus - was sufficiently usable to enable physiotherapists to consider using it to come up with new balance rehabilitation programmes. For the patients, it had to be easy to use, safe, provide them with some level of feedback on what they were doing, and hopefully be more enjoyable than conventional exercises. The net effect would be to encourage better compliance with their rehab programmes, she continued.

Dara Meldrum, School of Physiotherapy, RCSI

Participants were aged between 18 and 70, with a mean age of 43 and took part in a 30-minute session using exercises and games. After sessions, they rated the system usability according to a structured set of metrics called a System Usability Scale (SUS), and answered a questionnaire on their experience and opinions of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus (NWFP) in relation to their usual rehab.

The system scored very high on usability, 88% said that they would like to use it in future treatment, 73% reported that the NWFP motivated them more than usual physiotherapy treatment, and 69% reported more enjoyment than usual treatment, added Ms Meldrum.

We have established that there is definite potential to improve balance rehabilitation with the NWFP. The next challenge will be to design new balance rehabilitation programmes which incorporate suitable exercises and games for optimum recovery.

Enda Connolly, Chief Executive of the Health Research Board concluded: It is great to see the rapid advances in gaming technology being recognised and assessed for suitability for use in innovative health care programmes. There is a double benefit as this has the potential to improve patient outcomes, and also has an obvious preventative effect. If we can improve peoples balance and avoid unnecessary falls in the first instance, we reduce overall pressure and demand on scarce health services.

The full paper is available at the following link: informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17483107.2011.616922

Mikaela Forde (17) a 6th Year student from Yeats College, Galway viewing some x-rays at the RCSI Open Day

During the day-long event, Leaving Certificate and A Level students will get the opportunity to meet with RCSI staff, students and graduates, to give them an idea of what it is like to study medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy and take up careers in these areas. A series of talks will be held on the range of courses available at RSCI and how to apply to RCSI through the CAO system. An exhibition will be hosted by faculties and staff, who will be on hand to answer any questions the students may have.

Eimear OReilly(16); and Erica Hughes(17) both 6th Year students from Loreto College in Navan, Co Meath with a skeleton at the RCSI Open Day

Information will also be available on the wide choice of clubs and societies available in RCSI as well as information on student accommodation, library and sports facilities. Other highlights of the day will include a student panel discussion, whereby current students will give their perspectives on studying at RCSI. Students will also hear about the experiences of junior doctors, who have recently graduated from RCSI.

Students viewing a 3D video at the RCSI Open Day

Philip Curtis, Head of Admissions at RCSI said "The annual Open Day provides second level students with a great opportunity to get a sense of life, both academic and social at RCSI. With talks from staff, current students and graduates, students are able to get a real sense of what life as a medical, physiotherapy or pharmacy student is really like."

RCSI is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving human health through education, research and service. Founded in 1784, originally to train surgeons, today it provides extensive education and training in the healthcare professions at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The RCSI operates the largest Medical School in Ireland, also providing undergraduate courses in pharmacy and physiotherapy. The College provides an extensive range of postgraduate training and education programmes in the medical sciences, surgery, medical and nursing specialties, international health, tropical medicine and leadership. The RCSI Research Institute is one of Irelands foremost research centres.

Centre to develop more targeted therapies for patients

A new ‘Centre for Systems Medicine’ launched at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), aims to employ mathematical and statistical models in combination with large-scale data gathering to develop novel systems biology tools to predict treatment responses in patients with conditions such as colorectal cancer, brain tumours, melanoma, stroke, neurodegenerative disorders and diabetes. The centre also aims to develop new prognostic tools for more ‘targeted’ treatments for these patients, and aims to inform clinical decision making and improve patient care.

Pictured (l-r) at the launch were (back row) Dr. David Hughes; Professor Jochen Prehn, Head of Department of Physiology and Medical Physics; Professor John Kelly, Director of Research, RCSI; Prof. Pierre Laurent-Puig; Dr. Markus Rehm (front row) Dr. Marine Kleiman; Dr. Heinrich Huber; Dr. Caoimhin Concannon; Dr. Brona Murphy; and Professor William Gallagher.

The centre is being established in order to provide a dedicated translational research centre within the College. Translational or ‘bench to bedside’ research focuses on developing research discoveries made in the laboratory into point-of-care treatments for patients. The centre will provide a wide range of core facilities to researchers and will work with clinical collaborators at Beaumont Hospital, Queens University Belfast, the Mater Hospital, Paris Descartes University Medical School, and the University Clinics Frankfurt.

This centre is being established by Professor Jochen Prehn, Chair, Head of Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI. The centre is located on the 2nd and 4th Floor in York House, York Street and is part of the RCSI Research Institute.
The Centre for Systems Medicine is supported through funding from national and international funding bodies, including Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board, National Biophotonics Imaging Platform Ireland, European Commission Seventh Framework Programme 7, Higher Education Authority and Enterprise Ireland.

For further information on the Centre for Systems Medicine visit: www.systemsmedicineireland.ie

Professor Jon Nicholl, Professor of Health Services Research at the University of Sheffield delivered a lecture entitled "Better or Bigger: How Should We Organise Emergency Care?" at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland on Friday, 13th January 2012.

Pictured (l-r) are Professor Ivan Perry, Professor John Browne, Professor Jon Nicoll, Professor Hannah McGee (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI), Dr Steve Thomas, Professor Charles Normand and Dr Anne Hickey (Head of Department of Psychology, RCSI)

Professor Nicholl discussed the relationship between distance to hospital and patient mortality in emergencies. Attendees at the lecture included those involved in the formulation of Irish policy on A&E configuration.

Professor Jon Nicholl delivering his keynote lecture

The talk was the keynote lecture at the External Advisory Group meeting for the HRB PhD Scholars Programme in Health Services Research. The programme is a joint initiative of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork and is funded by the Health Research Board in Ireland.

Pictured (l-r) are Ms Laura Phelan, Dr Sally Doherty and Dr Angela Brunstein.

Pictured (l-r) are Dr Steve Thomas and Professor Jon Glasby.

Pictured (l-r) are Dr Davida De La Harpe, Ms Niaimh O Rourke and Ms Louise Mullen.

The RCSI Graduate Entry Programme (GEP) Open Day took place at Connolly Hospital on Saturday, 14th January 2012. A total of 60 potential students, from a diverse range of academic backgrounds, attended the Open Day. The format of the day was based around small group interactive sessions which provided the participants with the opportunity to experience ‘a day in the life’ of an RCSI GEP Student.

Dr. Aoife Egan, Endocrinology SpR (right) instructs participants on measuring blood pressure levels.

The event was opened by Professor Seamus Sreenan, Director of the GEP, who welcomed the attendees and introduced the day’s participants. This was followed by a series of short talks regarding the programme, RCSI facilities, the structure and style of the curriculum as well as details of the application process, which were given by Prof Sreenan and Ms Céleste Golden, Deputy Admissions Officer, RCSI.

The theme for the day was diabetes and Dr. John McDermott, Consultant Endocrinologist at Connolly Hospital introduced a patient with diabetes to the attendees in the style of the "case of the week", a weekly clinical case that is presented each Monday during the first two years of the programme and which informs the teaching for the week. The case was followed by a series of small group interactive sessions.

Dr. Ana Rakovac Tisdall, Clinical Tutor, introduces participants to measuring blood sugar levels.

Dr. Aoife Egan, Endocrinology SpR and Dr. Ana Rakovac Tisdall, Clinical Tutor introduced the prospective students to Diagnostic Investigations, which provided an introduction to basic clinical skills with an emphasis on diabetes including measuring blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Other break-out sessions included an introduction to how the RCSI Virtual Learning Environment Moodle supports learning in the programme, delivered by Mr. Eric Clarke, Lecturer in Health Informatics at RCSI; a session focusing on the importance of good communication skills to clinical practice, given by Dr Mahmood Al Saeed, GEP Clinical Tutor; and attendees had the opportunity to meet students already in the GEP programme.

GEP participants were introduced to basic clinical skills relevant to diabetes.

The GEP Open Day concluded with a question and answer session where the attendees had the opportunity to address their questions regarding the process of application for the programme and about medicine as a career.

The RCSI GEP programme is the number one such programme in Ireland, consistently admitting students with the highest Graduate Medical Schools Admission Test score and in 2011, as in 2010, all students admitted had indicated that RCSI was their first preference. The annual Open Days have undoubtedly contributed to the success of the programme which was recognised in 2010 by unconditional accreditation by the Irish Medical Council to 2013.

GEP Clinical Staff and Students who contributed to the Open Day.

The evaluation of the event was extremely positive and some of the feedback comments were:

“Very informative and well organised. Interaction with Medical Students was very beneficial”

“I really enjoyed the diagnostic investigation and how the day was based around “meet the patient".

“An excellent Open Day, informative, very enjoyable”.

“It was a very good and informative day. The parallel sessions were very good”.

“The GEP Open Day was an excellent introduction to what to expect at RCSI. I cant see how you could improve on this as I really enjoyed the day and look forward hopefully to coming back here as a student”.

Approximately 150 Transition Year students from 80 schools across Ireland will begin a week long Mini Med training programme today at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and Beaumont Hospital. The week long interactive programme gives Transition Year students the opportunity to experience what it is like to train and work as a doctor.

As part of the programme, students will witness a live operation, attend interactive lectures, gain hands-on training in clinical skills as well as practical experience in medicine and scientific tutorials. Topics that will be covered include human anatomy, cardiology, psychiatry, trauma and orthopaedics.

Pictured are Transition Year students

Leading medical professionals from RCSI and Beaumont Hospital will deliver the programme, including Professor Marie Cassidy, State Pathologist and Head of Forensic Medicine, RCSI who will give a lecture on Forensic Medicine.

Pictured are Transition Year students Melissa Nolan and Orla Curtin

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI said “The TY Mini Med programme is a great opportunity for students to gain insight into the world of medicine, science and research. This is the 5th year of the programme and demand for the programme outweighs the number of places available. The participation of leading medical professionals from RCSI and Beaumont Hospital, the use of innovative technology and the practical sessions helps make the learning experience interesting for students as well as providing them with experience of what it is like to train as a medical professional.”

Pictured are Transition Year students; Melissa Nolan, Orla Curtin, Mark Milner and Ruth Kearney

The evening began with presentations from Professor Marie Guidon, Head of School; Aileen Barrett, Practice Education Coordinator; and Celeste Golden, Deputy Admissions Officer, which provided attendees with a detailed overview of the 3 year BSc Physiotherapy programme open to graduate entrants, as well as an insight into student life at RCSI.

A lively Q & A session followed with staff and RCSI students: Tim Ahern (Final Year Physiotherapy student) and Jennifer Horgan (Physiotherapy graduate2011). The evening concluded with a guided tour of teaching and research facilities in the School of Physiotherapy and a brief college wide tour, led by Dr. Helen French.

Pictured with Open Evening attendees are (front row, l-r) Tim Ahern, Final Year Physiotherapy student; Professor Marie Guidon, Head of School of Physiotherapy; Jennifer Horgan, Physiotherapy Graduate; Dr. Helen French, Lecturer in Physiotherapy; attendee, Aileen Barrett, Physiotherapy Practice Education Coordinator; attendee and Louise Keating, Lecturer in Physiotherapy

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has been awarded major funding for research to improve the treatment of epilepsy. The research aims to explore how individual patients react to different epilepsy drugs on the basis of their DNA so that the most effective medication can be prescribed safely to treat them.

RCSI is one of 15 partner institutions from eight countries to receive almost €6 million funding from the European Union FP7 programme to investigate this genetic basis of responses to antiepileptic drugs as part of the EpiPGX Consortium.

Dr. Norman Delanty, Consultant Neurologist and RCSI clinical lead said "In Europe, several antiepileptic drugs are available for prescription for people with epilepsy, but the evidence guiding the choice of drug for an individual patient is very limited. Doctors often have to try out several drugs before finding the appropriate one for their patient, which can take some time and can have a negative impact on the patients life until their epilepsy stabilises."

Dr Gianpiero Cavalleri, Biomedical Research Lecturer, who will lead the RCSI genetics team involved said: "We are looking to identify genetic changes that predict those that might respond very well to a particular drug, or those that might have an adverse reaction to another drug. By understanding these genetic predictors, doctors can prescribe the safest and most effective drug for a patient."

37,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy and worldwide it is estimated that 50 million have epilepsy with six million of these living in Europe. (Source: Brainwave - The Irish Epilepsy Association)

The newly funded research consortium is coordinated by University College Londons Institute of Neurology and includes partner institutions in Belgium, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

This latest funding award strengthens RCSIs position as leading centre for epilepsy genetics research and follows on their participation in a $25 million grant awarded by the US National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke in 2011 for a worldwide study looking at the genetic basis of epilepsy

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Professor Paul Gallagher, Head of the School of Pharmacy, RCSI joined Mr. Brian Conlan, CEO and Mr. Ciaran Meegan, Head of Pharmacy Services, MMUH at the signing ceremony and unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital today.

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI in her remarks at the signing stated: "RCSIs undergraduate pharmacy students will, as a consequence of this MOU receive structured-placement based pharmacy education at MMUH which will facilitate greater contextualization of their clinical knowledge". Professor Paul Gallagher welcomed Mr. Meegan and his colleagues as honorary appointees of RCSI Faculty and commented "that their extensive clinical experience and expertise will greatly enhance the preparedness of our students for professional practice". RCSI graduates approximately 55 students and 200 Pharmacy interns annually.

Mr. Brian Conlon, CEO of the MMUH said "This exciting collaboration between our Pharmacy Department and the School of Pharmacy, RCSI is the first strategic partnership of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. This partnership will ensure that pharmacy students will be exposed to the hospital as a workplace and a professionally collaborative environment. But most importantly, students will experience firsthand where patients, by the use of complex drug combinations and novel pharmaceutical treatments have their lives saved and enhanced. They will learn not to think of patients in the abstract but as people who need our help and advice and most particularly our expertise and care."

Mr. Ciaran Meegan, Head of Pharmacy Services, MMUH said, ""This exciting collaboration will mark a new chapter in the education of pharmacy students and the conduct of pharmacy practice research in the State. As well as this, all opportunities to conduct collaborative research between the RCSI and MMUH, with the view to improving patient journeys and outcomes will also be exploited."

Prof. Conor O Keane (Clinical Director, MMUH), Prof. Hannah McGee (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI), Mr Ciaran Meegan (Head Of Pharmacy Services, MMUH) and Prof. Paul Gallagher (Head Of The School Of Pharmacy, RCSI).

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Professor Paul Gallagher, Head of the School of Pharmacy, RCSI joined Mr. Brian Conlan, CEO and Mr. Ciaran Meegan, Head of Pharmacy Services, MMUH at the signing ceremony and unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital today.

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI in her remarks at the signing stated: "RCSIs undergraduate pharmacy students will, as a consequence of this MOU receive structured-placement based pharmacy education at MMUH which will facilitate greater contextualisation of their clinical knowledge". Professor Paul Gallagher welcomed Mr. Meegan and his colleagues as honorary appointees of RCSI Faculty and commented "that their extensive clinical experience and expertise will greatly enhance the preparedness of our students for professional practice". RCSI graduates approximately 55 students and 200 Pharmacy interns annually.

Mr. Brian Conlon, CEO of the MMUH said "This exciting collaboration between our Pharmacy Department and the School of Pharmacy, RCSI is the first strategic partnership of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. This partnership will ensure that pharmacy students will be exposed to the hospital as a workplace and a professionally collaborative environment. But most importantly, students will experience firsthand where patients, by the use of complex drug combinations and novel pharmaceutical treatments have their lives saved and enhanced. They will learn not to think of patients in the abstract but as people who need our help and advice and most particularly our expertise and care."

Mr. Ciaran Meegan, Head of Pharmacy Services, MMUH said, ""This exciting collaboration will mark a new chapter in the education of pharmacy students and the conduct of pharmacy practice research in the State. As well as this, all opportunities to conduct collaborative research between the RCSI and MMUH, with the view to improving patient journeys and outcomes will also be exploited."

Ms Maria Creed (Drug Safety Facilitator, MMUH), Ms Jennifer Brown (Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager, MMUH), Prof. Hannah McGee (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI), Prof. Paul Gallagher (Head Of The School Of Pharmacy, RCSI), Ms Patricia Ging (Transplant / Pulmonary Hypertension Pharmacist, MMUH) and Mr Ciaran Meegan (Head Of Pharmacy Services, MMUH).

Pictured from l-r are Prof. Ruairi Brugha, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health in RCSI; Mr. Cathal Magee, CEO of the HSE; Dr. David Weakliam, Chairman of the Irish Forum for Global Health; Dr. Mphu Ramatlapeng, Minister for Health, Lesotho; Dr. Vincent ONeill, Director of Policy Planning and Effectiveness, Irish Aid ; Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello TD (centre)

Minister Costello said: "Improving healthcare is one of the greatest challenges facing the developing world today. Building functioning health care systems is a key objective of our aid programme. Irish Aid supports our partners in the developing world to strengthen their own healthcare systems, so that improvements will be sustainable over the long-term. Irelands commitment to global health is further strengthened today with our decision to join the European ESTHER Alliance. Ireland‘s membership of this European network will facilitate twinning between Irish hospitals and those in developing countries so that we may share experience, best practice and expertise."

The Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) has reported that a billion people in 57 countries worldwide face a daily struggle to access basic healthcare due to health workforce shortages and uneven distribution of health workers within countries. Sub-Saharan Africa bears 25% of the global burden of disease, but only has 3% of the worlds health workers.

Pictured is Yvonne Chaka Chaka, South Africa Singer, UNICEF and Roll Back Malaria Ambassador and UN Envoy for Africa

Dr. David Weakliam, Chairman of the Irish Forum for Global Health said ‘Health workers are the cornerstone of every countrys health system. Without them, life-saving vaccines and drugs would not be delivered safely and effectively.

"A more effective response is needed to address the critical shortage of skilled health personnel in low income countries. This requires the attention of all organisations seeking to address the health needs of these countries, with coordinated support for responses aligned to each countries national health plans and priorities," Dr. Weakliam continued.

"Over the last decade, international donors and organisations have significantly increased funding for drugs, vaccines and other interventions to combat diseases of the poor. But despite the establishment of the Global Health Workforce Alliance in 2006, investment in the workforce to deliver these life saving interventions has been inadequate. Dr. Weakliam continued. "Bilateral and multilateral donors as well as Global Health Initiatives need to support health systems strengthening and increase funding for initiatives to improve the health workforce".

Speaking at the conference, Prof. Ruairi Brugha, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health in RCSI said "All countries should fully implement the WHO Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel. Ireland is making many positive contributions to global health and to building health workforce capacity, especially in Africa. However, given Irelands dependency on foreign trained doctors and nurses over the past decade in particular, there is an onus on health service policy makers, planners and professional bodies to commit to self-sufficiency as a policy objective and to move away from excessive dependence on foreign trained health professionals. This requires good management and retention of the existing workforce to prevent the large outflow of migrant and Irish educated health workers from Ireland."

Pictured from l-r are Joe Costello TD Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is greeted by Dr. David Weakliam, HSE with Prof. Cathal Kelly, CEO RCSI,

More than 60 presentations will be given at the conference on topics such as responding to ‘Current challenges in the Human Resources for Health Crisis, ‘Strengthening the health workforce to respond to HIV and other major diseases, ‘Strengthening and supporting the health workforce and ‘Innovative approaches and ICT solutions.

Key speakers at the conference include Dr Mubashar Sheikh, Executive Director, Global Health Workforce Alliance; Dr. Mphu Ramatlapeng, Minister for Health, Lesotho; Prof Eilis McGovern, President of RCSI; Dr. Vincent ONeill, Director of Policy Planning and Effectiveness, Irish Aid; Mr Cathal Magee, CEO, Health Service Executive; Ms Sheila Dickson, President of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and Yvonne Chaka Chaka, South African singer and UNICEF Ambassador.

Further information and a copy of the abstract book is available at http://www.globalhealth.ie/

(l-r) Paul Fahey, PSI President; Marian Shanley Chair of National Forum; Eoghan Hanly, PSI Vice-President look on as Prof. Eilis McGovern, RCSI President greets Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The Taoiseach said the development was a welcome move towards bringing Irish pharmacy education and training in line with international best practice. "I strongly welcome the new pharmacy model which will help to position Ireland at the forefront internationally of pharmacy innovation and education. I also applaud the successful efforts of the PSI and its partners in the pharmacy sector in bringing a prestigious event like the international pharmaceutical congress to Ireland in 2013, something that will be a notable boost to the national economy next year."

The PSI President, Paul Fahey said the framework was the next stage in the PSI Councils programme of reform in pharmacy education and training. "The Irish Institute of Pharmacy will be an essential platform for the future development of the profession. It will ensure that developments and expansions in pharmacy practice and services in Ireland are underpinned by appropriate CPD, training and the international evidence base. It will support the evolving requirements of the Irish health service and will ensure patient needs drive practice development."

(L-R) Dr Ambrose McLoughlin, PSI Registrar/CEO; Prof Eilis McGovern RCSI President; Taoiseach Enda Kenny; Marian Shanley, Chair of National Forum; Paul Fahey, PSI President; Eoghan Hanly, PSI Vice-President.

Mr Fahey continued: "Additionally, the National Forum for Pharmacy Education and Accreditation has a specific mandate but one with very far-reaching potential for health care in this country and for the delivery of healthcare education. It provides an opportunity to engage with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that in the future the pharmacy profession can meet the needs of patients, industry, communities and pharmacists themselves."

The role of the new Irish Institute of Pharmacy will be to oversee the management and delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists in Ireland, which is now mandatory under The Pharmacy Act 2007, and put in place a quality assurance system around CPD. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has been awarded a four year contract to establish and operate the new Irish Institute of Pharmacy on behalf of the PSI.

The National Forum for Pharmacy Education and Accreditation aims to deliver a five year integrated Masters degree across the three schools of pharmacy in Ireland, producing more clinically focused pharmacists who will be positioned to play a critical role in the delivery of future integrated health care services in Ireland, as well as enhancing their career opportunities in all areas of practice including the pharmaceutical industry.

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) congress will be held at the Convention Centre Dublin in 2013 and is set to bring 3,000 delegates to Dublin and is likely to be worth as much as €10 million in revenue to Ireland.

Also speaking at the event in Dublin Castle were Chair of the new National Forum, Marian Shanley, President of the RCSI, Professor Eilis McGovern, PSI Registrar, Dr Ambrose McLoughlin with the Minister for Primary Care, Róisín Shortall TD also in attendance. FIP Secretary-General and CEO, Ton Hoek was also at the event.

Prof Paul Gallagher, Head of the School of Pharmacy, RCSI; Paul Fahey, PSI President; Carola van der Hoeff Congress Director FIP; Taoiseach End Kenny; Ton Hoek CEO FIP; Minister Roisin Shortall; Dr Ambrose McLoughlin, PSI Registrar/CEO; Eoghan Hanly, PSI Vice-President; Marian Shanley, Chair of National Forum; Prof. Eilis McGovern, RCSI President, Prof. Cathal Kelly, RCSI CEO.

Over 300 delegates attended the annual Charter Day meetings which took place in the College from Thursday 2nd until Saturday 4th February. More than 50 leading national and international speakers gave lectures over the three day event on wide range of surgical topics.

Pictured (l-r) are Mr. Kevin OMalley, RCSI Council Member; Dr L.D Britt, Honorary Fellow; Professor Eilis McGovern, President, RCSI; Dr Patrick Gullane, Honorary Fellow; Ms Laura Viani, RCSI Council Member; and Mr. Joseph Duignan, RCSI Council Member.

The meetings began with the 6th Annual Medical Students’ Intercollegiate Case Presentations hosted by the RCSI Surgical Society. This was followed by a video surgery meeting organised in conjunction with Connolly Hospital.

Pictured (l-r) are Ms. Helen O’Grady, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust and Mr. Conor Sheilds, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin.

On Friday, five parallel specialist sessions in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, ENT, Plastic Surgery and Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery took place. Each of these sessions focussed on new developments and challenges facing each of the specialties.

Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Abdelrahman Nasr, Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; Mr. Brian Lane, Vice-Dean, Postgraduate Surgical Studies, RCSI; and Mr. Mohamed Magd Eldin, Roscommon County Hospital.

Friday afternoon’s pleanary session on the Delivery of Special Emergency Care in Ireland concluded with the Johnson & Johnson Lecture delivered by Dr. L.D Britt, Past President of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Britt’s talk on ‘Acute Care Surgery in the 21st Century,’ focused on a new initiative in the US to address the delivery of emergency general surgery.

Pictured (l-r) are Mr. Andrew Covney, Mr. David Kearney and Mr. Peter Neary.

On Friday evening, the 87th Abraham Colles Lecture was given by Dr. Patrick Gullane, University of Toronto, who discussed the ‘Creativity & Innovation in Head and Neck Surgery: The Journey of a Lifetime’.

Pictured (l-r) are Mr. Michael Glynn, Retired Consultant Surgeon and Mr. Declan Magee, Council Member, RCSI.

On Saturday, Professor Sean Tierney, Dean of Professional Development and Practice, RCSI, gave the Bosco O’Mahony lecture entitled ‘Are we there yet?’ as part of the Annual Meeting of the Irish Higher Surgical Training Group. The Charter Day meetings culminated on Saturday evening when Honorary Fellowships were conferred on Dr. L.D. Britt and Dr. Patrick J. Gullane at the Charter Day Dinner.

Pictured (l-r) are Ms Laura Viani, RCSI Council Member; Dr Patrick Gullane, Honorary Fellow; and Dr Barbara Cruickshank.

Professor Eilis McGovern, President of RCSI said ‘The annual Charter Day meetings commemorate RCSI’s establishment by Royal Charter on 11th February 1784. The meetings provide the surgical community with an opportunity to come together and discuss the challenges, issues and new developments within surgery. We hope the programme provides a stimulating and informative three days.’

Pictured (l-r) are Prof Cathal Kelly, CEO/ Registrar, RCSI; Mr Ruairi Quinn, Minister for Education and Skills; Mr Joe Duignan, RCSI Council Member; and Prof Eilis McGovern, President of RCSI.

Pictured (l-r) are Prof Kieran Murphy, President of the Irish Medical Council and Prof Arthur Tanner, RCSI Council Member.

Pictured (l-r) are Mr Kevin O’Malley, RCSI Council Member and Dr L.D Britt, Honorary Fellow.

Pictured (l-r) are Prof Eilis McGovern, President of RCSI; Mr David Tolley, President, RCSEd; and Prof David Bouchier-Hayes, RCSI Council Member.

Pictured (l-r) are Mr Barry Holmes, Director of Human Resources, RCSI; Mrs Nessa Friel; and Mr Eunan Friel, Managing Director of Surgical Affairs, RCSI.