Annual Report 2010–2011
Advancing global standards in healthcare education and training About RCSI RCSI noble Purpose
The principles fi rmly established by Building on our heritage in surgery, our founders during the earlier years we will enhance human health of our College are just as relevant through endeavour, innovation and today as they were at that particular collaboration in education, research time. The early members of Council and service. bequeathed to us the noble tenets of institutional independence, academic freedom, tolerance of diff erence and a commitment to humanitarian concerns. These tenets are continuously upheld by our College and its staff .
We are We are committed The royal college of Surgeons in Ireland responsible for setting the highest to enhancing human health through is a registered charity for the promotion of standards in surgical care and endeavour, innovation and collaboration the practice of science of Surgery, anaesthesia, training in Ireland and are an in education, research and service. Dentistry, nursing and radiology and the internationally recognised medical provision of education, training and research in Medicine and allied Health Sciences. school with a 227 year heritage. We strive always to improve human health, to registered charity number cHy 1277. We believe improve continuously our education that the patient is at the centre and research programmes and to of everything we do. form strong relationships with our partners and communities. We value innovation, excellence, independence, academic freedom, diversity, tolerance and community.
Contents
Key Statistics 1 Governance President’s Review 2 Council Members 4 Senior Management Team 6 Chief Executive’s Review 7 Key Statistics Milestones and Achievements 10
Surgical Aff airs 14 3,754 Research 18 number of students Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 25 School of Pharmacy 28 867 School of Physiotherapy 29 School of Postgraduate Studies 30 number of staff Institute of Leadership 32 Faculty of dentistry 34 €12.4m Faculty of Radiologists 35 Faculty of nursing and Midwifery and School of nursing 37 Research funding Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, RCPI and RCSI 39 awarded to RCSI RCSI International 41
number of students Development Offi ce 44 and trainees by faculty Community 446 Surgical Trainees RCSI in Ireland 46 Global Initiatives 48 2,736 faculty of Medicine and health Sciences Finance 50
23 faculty of dentistry
98 faculty of Radiologists
448 faculty of nursing and Midwifery
3 faculty of Sports and exercise Medicine RCPI & RCSI
RCSI | ANNUAL REPORT 2010–2011 1 Governance
President’s Review
Professor Eilis McGovern
RCSI operates in both national and international environments, and as the whole world has experienced turbulence over the past year, it was inevitable that we would be exposed to serious challenges that would test our resilience. However, as we have demonstrated many times over the past two centuries, we have risen to these challenges and can again report on many successes and positive developments.
Governance as the postgraduate schools of Nursing, Academic activities For some time now, we have been looking Postgraduate Studies and the Institute of RCSI has a long and fruitful relationship at our governance structures, and this Leadership. The Surgery and Postgraduate with the National University of Ireland (NUI), work has been progressing steadily Faculties Board oversees the activities of under whose authority degrees have been through the efforts of the Governance Surgery alongside the Faculties of Nursing awarded since 1978. However the College Review Committee, chaired by the Vice- and Midwifery, Dentistry, Radiologists, has for a long time aspired to have its own President, Mr. Paddy Broe. We knew that and Sports and Exercise Medicine. independent degree-awarding status. When as an organisation we needed to respond The importance of external input had the possibility of dissolution of the NUI to changes in the corporate governance been identified by the Governance Review was raised, RCSI formally applied for this environment. In addition, the process of Committee, and has been addressed by privilege. A rigorous external review process applying for independent degree-awarding the recruitment of external members with was set in place by the Higher Education status alerted us to new requirements for appropriate skill-sets on both committees. Authority and the National Qualifications modern governance structures in third- Authority in the spring of last year. This level institutions. Following discussion, Authority has been delegated to the required a huge volume of preparatory Council approved the introduction of two new Boards in relation to their own work in submitting a self-assessment to a new paradigm which involved the activities, and a range of reserved matters the review board, followed by an intensive establishment of two new committees. have been identified which will continue and painstaking site visit by the members to be the remit of Council. The Boards of the international panel. The College The Medicine and Health Sciences will undergo a review process at the end staff who were involved in this initiative Board oversees the activities of the of their first year to ensure that they are were rewarded when the then Minister for undergraduate schools of Medicine working effectively, and the ongoing Education and Science, Mary Coughlan, (including the graduate-entry course), process of governance review continues. formally announced in October 2010 that Pharmacy and Physiotherapy, as well we had been successful in our application. The very first person to receive an RCSI degree was the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, who, in a special ceremony in the College on 30th May 2011, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of RCSI. This was followed later that week by the first major conferring ceremony in which our medical school graduates received RCSI degrees, in addition to the traditional NUI degrees and RCSI/RCPI licentiates.
Department of Surgical Affairs A strategic review of the Surgical Pillar was carried out in the spring of 2010, and has been implemented in the year since then. Mr. Eunan Friel was appointed as the new Managing Director for Surgical Affairs, and took up his position in October 2010. Working with Professor Sean Tierney, Dean of Professional Development and Practice and Professor Oscar Traynor, Director of the National Surgical Training Centre, a
2 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Governance
re-structuring of the Department has taken “The very first person to receive an RCSI degree was the place. This has incorporated a new unit to oversee the Competence Assurance President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, who, in a special process recently instigated by the Medical Council. The new National Office for Clinical ceremony in the College on 30th May 2011, was awarded Audit in Surgery office is also located in an Honorary Doctorate. This was followed later that the Department of Surgical Affairs. week by the first major conferring ceremony in which The committee structure has also been re-visited, with a new Policy and Standards our medical school graduates received RCSI degrees, in Committee, and an over-arching Committee for Surgical Affairs, which incorporates addition to the traditional NUI degrees and RCSI/RCPI representation from all the surgical licentiates.” specialities. This in turn reports to the Surgery and Postgraduate Faculties Board. The Department of Surgical Affairs continues its close working relationship intake of students will be accommodated in healthcare workers, which will enable them with the Health Service Executive (HSE) temporary buildings adapted and refurbished to be trained in the common surgical and through our immediate Past-President, nearby. Several of the Dublin college staff obstetric procedures which can be delivered Professor Frank Keane’s leadership of the were taken on a tour of this facility in June in areas remote from larger urban hospitals. Elective Surgery Clinical Programme, and 2011, and were extremely impressed by Other overseas projects in which our also continues to work with other state the standard and finish of the buildings. agencies such as the Health Information staff are involved include the Solar Water and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the This is an exciting initiative, and Disinfection Project (SODIS), the Paediatric Medical Council, as well as having regular the preparatory work involved has Exchange Programme in Vietnam, our work interaction with the UK surgical colleges. generated useful experience and with the Holy Rosary Hospital in Nigeria, expertise for the College, which will be and our Health Research Programmes very valuable in its search for further in HIV and Hepatitis C in Africa. Overseas overseas educational opportunities. The College’s activities in Malaysia continue Conclusion to grow and develop. Penang Medical Last year, the Medical University of Bahrain College (PMC) is thriving and graduated its (RCSI-MUB) came of age in June when, on The nerve centre of RCSI is our Senior 11th class of medical students at a colourful a very proud day for Bahrain and RCSI, a Management Team. In an 18-month period, ceremony in June. A new medical school conferring ceremony was held on the MUB we will have seen four replacements: the project in Terengganu, using the same campus for the first class of medical and positions of CEO/Registrar, Dean of the twinning model as PMC, is due to admit its nursing graduates. Earlier this year, during Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, first students to the RCSI system in 2011 a time of unrest in Bahrain, all educational Managing Director of Surgical Affairs, and and to the Dublin campus in autumn 2012. institutions had to cease their activities we will soon welcome our new Director for a short time, and there was some of Human Resources. The new range of Perdana University is a new college concern that the class of 2011 might be complementary skills and experiences which being developed by private enterprise in unable to complete the course on time to they bring has resulted in a strengthened Kuala Lumpur, and will incorporate two graduate. However with the dedication and unit, well equipped to bring this institution medical schools: a graduate-entry four- commitment of the university staff, the final onto the next stage of its historical journey. year programme and a traditional five- examinations, although deferred, were held They in turn lead a team of dedicated staff year programme run side-by-side. The in time for the June graduation ceremony, and researchers across three continents graduate-entry programme will be run by and a second cohort of young doctors who continue to steady the large ship the international division of Johns Hopkins and nurses was conferred on June 13th. which is the RCSI. I am very grateful to University, and the five year course by the all of them, and to the Vice-President and RCSI is very aware of the need to give RCSI. The first students are currently being the Council members, for their dedication back to society in ways that will ultimately recruited and will begin their studies in and commitment to this unique College. September. The founding Dean is Professor improve the health status of people in areas Anthony Cunningham, and the faculty for the that do not have access to the standard pre-clinical courses has been appointed. of healthcare which exist in the developed world. Our major international outreach Eventually the new Perdana University initiative is with COSECSA – the College campus will incorporate not just the two of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern medical schools, but also a teaching hospital, Africa. This work is supported by a grant from a research centre, staff accommodation, a Irish Aid, and aims to support local countries hotel and many ancillary facilities. The site in developing training and examinations in for this new campus has been identified, and surgery for doctors, as well as developing construction is about to commence. The first programmes for non-medically qualified
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 3 governance
Council Members
Pictured left to right
Mr. Frank McManus Professor Eilis McGovern Mr. Kenneth Mealy Retired Consultant Surgeon (Orthopaedic) President and Consultant Surgeon Consultant Surgeon (General) Mater Misericordiae Hospital (Cardiothoracic) Wexford General Hospital St. James’s Hospital Mr. Kevin O’Malley Mr. Joe O’Beirne Consultant Surgeon (Vascular) Professor Thomas F. Gorey Consultant Surgeon (Orthopaedic) Mater Misericordiae Hospital Consultant Surgeon (General) Waterford Regional Hospital Mater Misericordiae Hospital Professor Ronan O’Connell Professor A.E. (Freddie) Wood Professor of Surgery and Professor H. Paul Redmond Retired Consultant Surgeon (Cardiothoracic) Consultant Surgeon (Colorectal) Professor and Chair of Surgery, UCC Mater Misericordiae Hospital and Our Lady’s UCD and St. Vincent’s Hospital and Consultant Surgeon (Oncology) Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin Cork University Hospital Mr. Patrick J. Broe Vice-President and Consultant Surgeon (General) Beaumont Hospital
4 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Governance
Mr. Joseph P. Duignan Professor Michael J. Earley Professor Frank Keane Retired Consultant Surgeon (General) Consultant Surgeon (Plastic) Retired Consultant Surgeon St. Michael’s Hospital, Dun Laoghaire Mater Misericordiae Hospital and the (General / Colorectal) Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street The Adelaide & Meath Hospital incorporating Professor David J. Bouchier-Hayes the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght Retired Professor of Surgery and Consultant Mr. Parnell Keeling Surgeon (Vascular) Consultant Surgeon (General) Professor W. Arthur Tanner RCSI and Beaumont Hospital Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown Retired Director of Surgical Affairs, RCSI
Mr. Declan J. Magee Professor John Hyland Professor Michael J. Kerin Consultant Surgeon (General) Consultant Surgeon (General / Colorectal) Professor and Head of Department of Surgery St. Columcille’s Hospital St. Vincent’s University Hospital and Consultant Surgeon (Breast / Endocrine / General) Mr. Gordon Watson Ms. Laura Viani NUI Galway and University Hospital, Galway Retired Consultant Surgeon (General) Consultant Surgeon (Otolaryngology) Waterford Regional Hospital Beaumont Hospital
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 5 Governance
Senior Management Team
1 2 3
1. dr. Terry McWade Deputy CEO
2. professor Hannah McGee Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
3. professor John Kelly Director of Research
4. ms. Jennifer Cullinane Director of Finance 4 5 5. mr. Bernard Cahill Director of Human Resources
6. mr. Eunan Friel Managing Director of Surgical Affairs
7. mr. Michael McGrail Director of Corporate Strategy
6 7
6 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Governance
Chief Executive’s Review
Professor Cathal Kelly
As Chief Executive of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. To mark this landmark in the College’s history, the first ever RCSI degree in Ireland, it is my pleasure to share with you the RCSI was awarded to Her Excellency, Mary annual report for 2010 – 2011 and to update you on McAleese, President of Ireland in May. In terms of postgraduate activities, the activities within the College over the past year. 2010/2011 was an exciting year with the largest number to date, (60) graduating with higher degrees by research (23 PhD, 15 MD, 14 MCh and 8 MSc). Our postgraduate student numbers have increased year on year from 314 (135 research) in 2005 to 854 As the continuing economic condition in 2010 (253 research). In our postgraduate prevails, there is no doubt that we are all activities we already have many of the living in challenging times. One of the core recommendations of the Hunt report in strengths of our College is our ability to place and look forward to further enhancing innovate and adapt and through this we have the quality framework for our higher degree been successful in reducing our expenses researchers as recommended in the report. by more than 13% over the last two years Despite significant cuts in the Irish and we have worked hard to ensure that Government’s research funding, RCSI our resources are wholly focused on our received Higher Education Authority (HEA) core mandate – education in the health funding of €1.8 million for a new inter- sciences. I would like to record my sincere institutional PhD programme in BioAnalysis thanks and appreciation to the staff of and Therapeutics (BioAT). Our partners are RCSI for their unwavering commitment and Dublin City University (DCU), NUI Maynooth, dedication to the College. The achievements and the Institute of Technology Tallaght. over the past 12 months in the College were The programme offers students a unique made by our exceptional staff, who play a training experience in applied research, central role to the success of this College. advanced technologies, and collaborative The past year has seen us grow both in clinician-scientist research in hospital-based Ireland and abroad as we continue to laboratories. This integrated approach to develop our core activities of education, advancing the understanding, diagnosis training and research. In October 2010, the and treatment of specific diseases with College was granted independent degree significant potential for commercialisation awarding status by the State. This followed is a major strength of the programme. a quality approval process culminating Also in the area of research, the Biomedical in the Government approving the bye- Diagnostics Institute, which is a scientific law, which enables the College to award and clinical partnership between DCU and degrees alongside its traditional powers RCSI, secured €14.8 million in funding, as to award licentiates. Our graduates will part of the largest award ever granted by now receive an RCSI degree alongside the Science Foundation Ireland. The investment traditional licentiates of the RCSI and RCPI which will support research and innovation and the degree of the National University is a significant achievement for the institute.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 7 governance
Chief Executive’s Review
(continued)
“In October 2010, the College was granted independent degree awarding status by the State. This followed a quality approval process culminating in the Government approving the bye-law, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.”
This year also saw considerable progress in Within the Department of Surgical Affairs, This year saw RCSI enter into two very the development of the Academic Health the RCSI Centre for Innovation in Surgical exciting opportunities in Malaysia. In Kuala Centre between Beaumont Hospital, Technology continues to go from strength Lumpur, the new Perdana University RCSI Connolly Hospital and RCSI. The mission of to strength. Most recently, its development School of Medicine will deliver the five year the Academic Health Centre is to prioritise of a podcast for surgeons which provides undergraduate medical programme, with patient care across the hospital and the surgeons with easy access to the latest the first intake of students in September community within a research-intensive information regarding clinical practice and 2011. The Perdana University RCSI School learning environment, guaranteeing improved surgical technology is a great example of of Medicine is part of the Kuala Lumpur patient outcomes. A partnership agreement an innovative and internationally focused Academic Medical Centre which will has now been signed by the parties involved product and it continues to ensure comprise a 600 bed private hospital, a and a number of working groups have that RCSI is internationally recognised research centre and Perdana University been established to deliver the project. as a leader in medical education. and is due for completion in 2014. In March, RCSI together with UCD signed Much change has taken place this year The past year also saw the appointments of an agreement for the provision of medical within the Department of Surgical Affairs. a new Director of Research and a Director education with two colleges in the State With the appointment of Eunan Friel as of Corporate Strategy. Professor John Kelly, of Terengganu in Malaysia. The agreement Managing Director of the Department in former Foundation Head of the School of involves establishing a medical college 2010, and the culmination of a strategic Pharmacy, joined the Senior Management branch campus in Terengganu. These review process, new structures were put in Team as Director of Research, bringing students will come to Ireland to study at place to ensure the department provides extensive experience, particularly on RCSI and UCD for 2.5 years and will return excellence in surgical training and relevance the commercialisation of research and to Terengganu to undertake their clinical in surgical practice and to address changes clinical trials, to the position. Mr. Michael training and complete their medical degrees. in the delivery and regulation of the medical McGrail was appointed as Director of profession in Ireland. Part 11 of the Medical Corporate Strategy. Michael has extensive This year proved to be a difficult time for Practitioners Act 2007 came into effect experience in consulting and corporate our staff and students in Bahrain. Since on 1st May 2011, whereby it became finance and previously held the role of the beginning of the unrest in Bahrain in mandatory for all medical practitioners acting Director of Finance in the College. February, we have endeavoured to ensure practising in Ireland to be enrolled in a the safety of our 900 students and 100 Professional Competence Scheme. RCSI staff in Bahrain, to enable our students to was accredited by the Irish Medical Council complete their programmes. We developed to administer the Professional Competence “In terms of postgraduate contingency plans to ensure that irrespective Schemes for Surgery, Emergency Medicine activities, 2010/2011 was of political unrest, our final medical year and Sports & Exercise Medicine. students would graduate on time. In June, we an exciting year with conferred 53 medical doctors and 70 nurses as originally scheduled. The graduation the largest number to ceremony was an important tribute to the date, (60) graduating commitment and courage of these young people. It was a particularly proud day for all with higher degrees by of us that were there to witness the occasion. research.”
8 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Governance
“As a not for profit institution, we are enduringly grateful for the support of our loyal alumni, fellows, members and friends of the College, who continue to support us in our endeavours and who give generously to the College.”
As a leading provider of medical education, In January, the decision was made to sell Our students are the lifeblood of this College. we are committed to ensuring our a collection of books in the RCSI Library I am extremely proud of their achievements educational offering to our students is from the 16th to the 19th century in the and their willingness to participate in second to none. Following the College fields of medicine, natural history, travel and humanitarian and charitable initiatives. The being granted independent degree literature. The decision to sell the books was Islamic Society raised almost €7,000 in awarding powers, we established the a strategic decision in order to concentrate just two weeks collecting for Islamic Relief. Quality Enhancement Office (QEO) to on the conservation and preservation of In December 2010, the Caribbean African support the implementation of the RCSI the RCSI archives and modern records Society raised over €1,400 from its annual quality assurance and quality improvement which are essential and unique to the Chocolate Ball event in aid of World Aid’s strategy following recommendations by the College. The analysis and evaluation of the Day and the Cancer Society raised almost National Qualifications Authority. The primary antiquarian collections and the decision €300 for the Irish Cancer Society and activity of the QEO is the coordination to divest of certain material is a necessary ‘Mo-vember’, which raises funds for men’s of quality reviews and to support the preparation to the library redevelopment health. Our students also gave generously RCSI Schools and Faculties in statutory plan and all money raised from the sale of of their time to assist in many outreach accreditation processes. The School of the books will be reinvested in to the library. programmes including the REACH Sports Postgraduate Studies underwent the first Day, the REACH Homework Club for local quality review in May, which was carried out school children and the MiniMed programme by an international Peer Review Group. for students in Transition Year in school. As a not for profit institution, we are “Despite the panel’s I would like to take this opportunity to enduringly grateful for the support of our extensive experience, they acknowledge the enormous contribution loyal alumni, fellows, members and friends that the patients, clinicians and staff in our of the College, who continue to support us had never witnessed such teaching hospitals make to the College and in our endeavours and who give generously to thank them for their generosity towards to the College. Our Library redevelopment a sense of collegiality the College, our students and trainees. project got underway this year and to in any other institution During the Degree Awarding process, an date, almost €500,000 has been raised. external panel made a three day site visit Our vision for the redevelopment of the worldwide, which is to the College. The panel was uniform in its library is to support lifelong learning and testament to the sense praise of the staff and students, the sense create a space to support multiple learning of morale and the sense of community styles and teaching practices through of endeavour and within RCSI. Despite the panel’s extensive technology rich and multi-purpose spaces. experience, they had never witnessed such While we are still a while off from our target collaboration that is a sense of collegiality in any other institution of €4m, this is a great achievement for evident across the entire worldwide, which is testament to the sense the beginning of the project, especially of endeavour and collaboration that is in today’s difficult economic climate. RCSI community.” evident across the entire RCSI community. I have always been proud of RCSI, but never more so than during this period.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 9 Governance
2010/11 Milestones and Achievements
Pictured (l-r) are Ms. Linsey Abreu-Molly, Ms. Pictured at Breast Cancer Ireland’s annual Maura Cotter and Ms. Katie Ryan, who were “RCSI Race Against Breast Cancer Day” conferred with Memberships of RCSI at the July at Leopardstown are (l-r) Mr. Walter Beatty; Postgraduate Conferring Ceremony. Mrs. Orla Beatty; Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/Registrar, RCSI; Ms. Mary Kennedy; and Professor Arnold Hill, Professor of Surgery, RCSI.
2010 August October July Health checks for the local The RCSI Alumni Gala Dinner was attended The 22nd RCSI Annual Golf Classic at community were carried out in RCSI by more than 250 medical graduates and The K Club, Co. Kildare raised over €25,000 Mercer’s Medical Centre as part of their guests, who travelled from all parts of in aid of surgical research. the REACH RCSI Programme. Ireland and across the globe to celebrate special reunions during Alumni Weekend. 25 primary school teachers attended the ‘Come to Your Senses’ summer course, September An Tánaiste and Minister for Education which is a component of the REACH RCSI RCSI and the Health Protection Surveillance and Skills, Ms. Mary Coughlan, programme. The course used the theme Centre jointly hosted a course on ‘Safe T.D., issued formal notification of of the human senses to enable primary Patient Care – Healthcare-associated her decision to grant independent school teachers develop their interest Infection Prevention & Control for Degree Awarding Status to RCSI. and enthusiasm for teaching science All’. The initiative aimed to maximise RCSI was the local organiser of the and provided practical experiments and patient safety by enhancing the education international BioPhotonics and innovative ideas to use in the classroom. of health care workers that interact Imaging Conference (BioPIC) 2010 with patients on a day-to-day basis. Approximately 120 doctors were which took place in Dunboyne Castle conferred with postgraduate awards at the RCSI welcomed over 400 new students Hotel, Co Meath. The event showcased postgraduate conferring ceremony. who were embarking on the undergraduate innovations in the rapidly expanding sector These include Fellowships of RCSI in Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy of optics and photonics with benefits for Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, programmes at the annual Orientation Day. healthcare and disease prevention. Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology; Paediatric Professor Frances Ruane, Director of the A new masters’ programme in surgery; Plastic Surgery; Trauma and Economic and Social Research Institute Organisational Change and Leadership Orthopaedic surgery and Urology. New (ESRI) delivered the 21st Leonard Development which will be jointly delivered Members and Fellows of the Faculties Abrahamson Memorial Lecture entitled by the RCSI Institute of Leadership and of Radiology, Dentistry and Sports and ‘Resource Allocation, Financing and DCU Business School was launched by Exercise Medicine were also conferred. Sustainability of the Irish Health Sector’. the Tánaiste and Minister for Education Professor Joseph McKenna, former and Skills, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D. President and Registrar of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland was awarded Breast Cancer Ireland’s annual RCSI the College’s highest honour, Honorary Race Against Breast Cancer Day at Fellowship of RCSI at the ceremony. Leopardstown raised over €150,000 for vital breast cancer research aiding The Summer Meeting of the Surgical speedier discoveries and ultimately more Forum of Great Britain and Ireland took effective treatments for those diagnosed. place over two days at RCSI in Dublin.
10 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Governance
Pictured at the Millin Meeting Renowned hand surgeon Pictured (l-r) are Ms. Rebecca Pictured (right) is Ms. Corriena Brien, are Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Dr. Thomas Graham MD from Lynch and Ms. Elaine McCarthy Student Services Manager with show Executive/ Registrar, RCSI; Mr. Cleveland Clinic, USA (right) who graduated as part of Ireland’s participants and organisers from David G Healy, Thoracic Surgeon greets former patient and Irish first Masters in Pharmacy RCSI’s Caribbean African Society at the Memorial Sloan Kettering rugby international Gordon (MPharm) class. (CAS) who presented ‘The Chocolate Cancer Center; Mr. Paddy Broe, Vice D’Arcy at an Innovation in Factor’, this year’s variation of the President; RCSI. Mr. Healy delivered Surgery Lecture delivered ever popular Chocolate Ball. the 33rd Millin Lecture entitled: by Dr. Graham. ‘Successful Surgery: A Science of Scalpels, Sutures and Susceptive Cells’.
November This year’s Millin Meeting explored December Catherine Sweeney, from the School the development of an Elective Surgery Over 300 students enjoyed RCSI Caribbean of Pharmacy, RCSI, was named as Programme and Competence Assurance, African Society’s “The Chocolate one of ‘Ireland’s Top Undergraduates’ two of the most important issues facing Factor” Ball which showcased some at the Undergraduate Awards of Irish surgeons. The meeting incorporated of RCSI’s many talented students and Ireland & Northern Ireland. the 20th Carmichael Lecture delivered by raised almost €1,500 for charity. Marc Coleman, Author & Economist entitled: RCSI hosted the RCSI Innovations ‘Doctors differ patients die: An analysis Approximately 50 healthcare professionals exhibition as part of the annual Innovation of the analysis of Ireland’s condition’. The graduated from RCSI-Dubai with United Dublin festival which is dedicated to day-long event culminated in the 33rd Millin Arab Emirates accredited Masters Degrees promoting innovation and creativity in Lecture delivered by Mr. David Healy, FRCSI, in Healthcare Management and Quality the city. Members of the public were entitled: ‘Successful Surgery: A Science of and Safety in Healthcare Management given the opportunity to simulate surgical Scalpels, Sutures and Susceptive Cells’. at a conferring ceremony in Dubai. procedures, participate in a virtual patient 140 healthcare professionals were diagnosis and discover more about health Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of conferred at the December Postgraduate research from leading RCSI experts. Department, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, RCSI, was made a Fellow of Conferring Ceremony. These include Dr. Thomas J. Graham, M.D, Chairman of the American Academy of Nursing Fellowships of RCSI in Cardiothoracic Cleveland Clinic Innovations and Vice- (ANN). He was the first applicant from Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Ireland to receive the accolade. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Otolaryngology, Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, USA, delivered Plastic Surgery, Trauma & Orthopaedic an Innovation in Surgery Lecture in Graduates from Ireland’s first Masters Surgery and Urology. Memberships of the College. A renowned hand surgeon, in Pharmacy class were among those RCSI including Ophthalmology were Dr. Graham, has worked on many who graduated at the RCSI November awarded as well as Fellowship and top sporting professionals including Conferring ceremony. With over Membership of the Faculties of Radiologists, Irish rugby international Gordon 650 students being conferred with Dentistry and Nursing & Midwifery. D’Arcy, who attended the lecture. undergraduate and postgraduate awards at three conferring ceremonies, this was the largest number of students ever to be conferred in a single day at the College. Surgical trainees spent an intensive week learning microsurgical skills at the first ever microsurgical course in Ireland which took place at the National Surgical Training Centre, RCSI.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 11 governance
2010/11 Milestones and Achievements
Pictured at the RCSI Open Day was secondary Pictured (l-r) is Dr Garry Duffy, Lecturer school student, Ms. Alice O’ Donnell (16). in Anatomy; and Mr Ting Chu (Ken) Liu, 3rd Year Medical Student, who received the Dr. Harry O’Flanagan Prize for the Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation which is generously supported by Dr. Yacoob Kadwa, RCSI graduate (Class of 1965) at Research Day 2011.
2011 February March January RCSI was proud host to the semi-final 120 Transition Year students from the South RCSI’s Annual Open Day gave of the prestigious Irish Times Debate East got a taste of what it is like to train as over 500 second-level students a competition which was chaired by Senator a medical student during the week-long taste for life as a medical, pharmacy Eugene Regan, member of Seanad Éireann. Waterford RCSI Transition Year MiniMed and physiotherapy student. training programme which took place New research conducted by RCSI was in Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH) RCSI signed an agreement to join the presented at a Research Opportunities and Waterford Institute of Technology. European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) Day in conjunction with Beaumont and putting the College in the limelight of Connolly Hospitals which included a National The Society of Neuroscience, an RCSI EU research leadership in the area of survey of day surgery in Ireland that identified student society, hosted the inaugural vaccine development. EVI supports the seven barriers to the provision of day surgery. Neuroscience Symposium in association development of effective, accessible and with the Irish Institute of Clinical Over 50 leading national and international affordable vaccines for diseases of poverty. Neuroscience, which attracted seven world- surgeons gave lectures on a wide range renowned speakers who gave talks across a Broadcaster and journalist Marian Finucane of surgical topics at the Charter Day broad range of Clinical Neuroscience topics. delivered a lecture on the topic of ‘Listening’ meetings. Mr. Edward Kiely, internationally at the 78th Annual Biological Society renowned Irish Paediatric Surgeon from Students and staff took part in International Meeting, which took place in RCSI. Cork gave the 86th Colles lecture on the Night in the Mansion House, Dublin on ‘Surgery of Conjoint Twins’. At the Charter Thursday 10th March 2011 which celebrated The RCSI Mini Med Transition Year Day Dinner, Honorary Fellowships of RCSI the cultural diversity within the College programme welcomed 160 students were awarded to Mr. Edward Kiely and with a memorable night of dance, drama from 80 schools for a week-long training Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director and music from all corners of the globe. programme at RCSI and Beaumont Hospital. of the National Health Service in the UK. The interactive programme gave Transition RCSI and University College Dublin signed Year students the opportunity to experience Over 200 delegates attended the 30th an agreement for the provision of medical what it is like to train and work as a doctor. Annual International Nursing and education in Dublin and by the two colleges Midwifery Conference at RCSI. Speakers in the State of Terengganu in Malaysia Over 200 RCSI Alumni and a delegation from North America, Australia, The Middle during an official visit to Dublin by Ministers from the College attended a reception East and across Europe gave global from the State Government of Terengganu. in celebration of the UAE RCSI perspectives on the theme ‘Promoting Alumni which took place at the Students from the College launched the Patient Centred Care in Times of Change - ambassador’s residence in Abu Dhabi. 4th edition of the RCSI Student Medical the Challenge for Nurses and Midwives’ Journal (RCSIsmj) which aims to promote excellence in undergraduate research.
12 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Governance
Pictured at the REACH RCSI Pictured is Her Excellency, President Pictured at second annual conferring Sports Day are Megan Sherlock Mary McAleese, who in May 2011, was ceremony in RCSI Bahrain are (l-r) (10), Collins Melekwe (9) and the first person ever to be awarded medical graduate Dr. Sayed Al Moosawi Shauna Plunkett (10) from an Honorary Doctorate of RCSI in the and Dr. Sehriban Diab. St. Enda’s Primary School, College’s 227 year history due to the Whitefriar Street, Dublin. granting of independent degree awarding status by the State to RCSI in 2010.
April May June Over 300 researchers attended RCSI RCSI opened its Professional Competence 211 medical students and 42 higher degree Research Day 2011 which provided RCSI Scheme (PCS) via the Colles Portal, candidates graduated at the RCSI Summer scientists with an opportunity to showcase which allows medical practitioners to Conferring Ceremony at the National their most recent research findings. record and monitor their continuing Concert Hall. Also at the ceremony was professional development and clinical the launch of the Perdana University - RCSI students and staff volunteered audit activities online which is required RCSI School of Medicine in Kuala Lumpur, their time to help with the REACH RCSI by the Irish Medical Council under Part Malaysia which was announced by Mr. Pat Sports Day. 110 local primary school 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act Rabbitte, T.D., Minister for Communications, children took part in the action packed 2007. RCSI will administer its PCS to Energy and Natural Resources. day of games and events which aims to doctors working in surgery, emergency raise awareness and promote life-long RCSI’s Annual Public Outreach Lecture medicine, sports and exercise medicine, recreation and community health. 2 011 , entitled “Genius of the Cell” which ophthalmic surgery and ophthalmology. explored the theory that human cells capable Professor Geraldine McCarthy, Honorary The College of Surgeons of East, Central of “independent thought” may unlock Associate Professor, Molecular and Cellular and Southern Africa (COSECSA) supported the secrets to disease, was delivered by Therapeutics, RCSI was awarded the by Irish Aid and RCSI hosted a one day Professor Brian J Ford, a renowned research Dr. Jacques Servier Scholarship in conference entitled “Surgical Training in biologist based at University of Cambridge. recognition of her research on the biological East, Central and Southern Africa - A effects of crystals in human disease. The second annual graduation ceremony Regional Approach”. The conference was at RCSI Bahrain took place with 169 A team from RCSI competed in the organised by RCSI and attended by a diverse candidates conferred including 55 graduates 115th Boston Marathon, the oldest range of international delegates with an of the School of Medicine, 100 of the school and largest marathon in the world, interest in surgical training in the region. of nursing and seven Masters graduates. with the nine RCSI runners raising Professor Gerry O’Sullivan, Past-President funds for Breast Cancer Ireland. A reception in celebration of the launch of RCSI, was awarded an Honorary of the Perdana University – RCSI Fellowship by the College of Surgeons School of Medicine took place at the of East, Central and Southern Ambassador’s Residence, Kuala Lumpur, Africa (COSECSA) at a ceremony hosted by the Ambassador of Ireland to which took place in RCSI in Dublin. Malaysia, H.E. Declan Kelly, and the CEO Her Excellency, President Mary McAleese of RCSI, Professor Cathal Kelly. The event was awarded the first Honorary Degree was attended by Professor Eilis McGovern, of Doctor of Science from RCSI at a RCSI President; RCSI Alumni in Malaysia; special ceremony held in the College. This and leading academics, clinicians and other was the first Honorary Degree RCSI has officials. The first intake of students to the awarded in its 227 year history due to the programme will be in September 2011. granting of independent degree awarding status by the State to RCSI in 2010.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 13 Surgical Aff airs
MR. EUNAN FRIEL, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SURGICAL AFFAIRS
KEy FACTS 206 higher Surgical Trainees 170 basic Surgical Trainees 70 Irish Surgical Residency Programme
We PRovIde leadeRShIP In SuRgICal eduCaTIon and TRaInIng and ConTInually STRIve To enhanCe The QualITy of SuRgICal CaRe foR PaTIenTS.
14 RCSI | ANNUAL REPORT 2010–2011 SURGICAL AFFAIRS
Surgical trainees spent an intensive week learning microsurgical skills at the first ever microsurgical course in Ireland at the National Surgical Training Centre, RCSI in November 2010.
This was a year of great activity and great change within RCSI’s The healthcare environment continues to be Department of Surgical Affairs. A new executive management was challenged by the severe funding difficulties arising from our national economic appointed and the process of putting a structure in place to deliver on difficulties. This, together with a continuing the strategic priorities, identified late last year in our strategic review commitment to improve the standards process, was initiated. Central to this strategy is a re-focusing on and safety of patient care delivery, has accelerated the change and transformation the delivery of excellence in surgical training across all our surgical agenda of the Health Service Executive specialties as well as building renewed relevance in surgical practice. (HSE). The implementation of Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 has required all practising medical practitioners to enrol in recognised professional schemes from 1st May 2011. These developments are being actively supported by RCSI. Through new structures in the Department of Surgical Affairs, we are facilitating our Fellows and Members as well as the broader community of surgeons to meet these regulatory requirements while continuing to provide leadership in care delivery transformation to enhance the quality of surgical care. We are extremely grateful to staff in our Department for their ongoing commitment to ensure we deliver our strategic goals and for their flexibility during this period of change.
SURGICAL TRAINING These are challenging times financially for our health system. There have been a number of changes in the funding of surgical training that affected trainees and RCSI alike. However, I am pleased to confirm that the HSE’s commitment to funding medical training remains and we appreciate our ongoing productive collaboration with the HSE in the provision of our surgical training.
Pictured (l-r) at the RCSI Charter Day meetings are Mr. Parnell Keeling, RCSI Council Member and Mr. Michael O’Riordan, Consultant Surgeon.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 15 SURGICAL AFFAIRS
“The Centre for Innovation in Surgical Technology (CIST) continues to go from strength to strength, with over 50 innovative ideas being supported and developed at present.”
Ms. Marie O’Boyle, Surgical Training, RCSI, demonstrates the Colles Portal to Mr. Kenneth Mealy, RCSI Council Member at the Millin Meeting.
This year saw the commencement of a The introduction of the basic specialty year Surgical Practice new centralised funding model being has also facilitated the introduction of a A central element of our strategic plan is implemented by the HSE’s Medical more structured set of criteria for admission the commitment to build on enhancing Training Unit across all the postgraduate to Higher Surgical Training. This year we our relevance in surgical practice. This training bodies. The agreements we have over 200 trainees in both BST and year saw the appointment of Professor have reached with the HSE reflect HST as well as an additional 35 trainees Sean Tierney to the position of Dean of their ongoing commitment to surgical commencing a new Basic Specialty Training Professional Development and Practice. training and we appreciate their support programme in Emergency Medicine. We are committed to a number of critical and co-operation during the transition 2011 will see RCSI applying for formal initiatives in support of surgical practice. to these new funding structures. accreditation as a training body from Under the National Directorate of Clinical Our surgical training agenda continues to the Irish Medical Council. This process Strategy and Programmes, a number of evolve under the leadership of Professor also derives from the provisions of the clinical programmes have been initiated Oscar Traynor, to meet the changing needs of Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and will with the aim of improving the organisation, surgery today. July 2011 sees the introduction provide a valuable external perspective quality, access and cost of service delivered of our new Basic Specialty Programme, on our training programmes in delivering to patients across a broad range of clinical creating a three year Basic Surgical against the “Medical Council Accreditation areas. RCSI has been providing clinical Training (BST) programme. Approximately Standards for Postgraduate Medical leadership to an Elective Surgery Programme 80 trainees are due to commence on the Education and Training”. It is anticipated with Professor Frank Keane, Immediate Past- programme, representing a very significant that this process will be completed towards President, RCSI, acting as National Lead. This move to shortening the surgical training the end of 2011 and will further inform programme has an initial focus on the areas journey by eliminating the necessity for the the refinement of our mandatory training of average length of stay; optimising theatre so called ‘gap years’ as a requirement for curriculum across all our specialties. utilisation and workflow; establishing a admission to Higher Surgical Training (HST). national surgical audit; and the development of integrated care pathways. Great progress has been made during the year with pilot implementation underway in several areas. On 1st May, RCSI was ready to enrol medical practitioners in our Professional Competence Scheme, having received recognition from the Medical Council to provide a scheme for Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Sport & Exercise Medicine in March. RCSI has established a dedicated unit to administer the scheme and support enrolled practitioners in managing their professional competence requirements. The scheme is facilitated through the Colles Portal. In addition to the management of a professional competence scheme, we are also planning the provision of a Professional Development Programme for surgical Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs). This programme will be funded Pictured is Professor Eilis McGovern, President, RCSI, presenting the Abraham Colles Medal to Mr. Edward Kiely, internationally renowned Irish Paediatric Surgeon from Cork who gave the 86th Colles lecture on the ‘Surgery of Conjoint Twins’ as part of the Charter Day meetings.
16 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 SURGICAL AFFAIRS
“July 2011 sees the introduction of our new Basic Specialty Programme, creating a three year Basic Surgical Training (BST) programme. Approximately 80 trainees are due to commence on the programme, representing a very significant move to shortening the surgical training journey...”
by the HSE and will support the needs CIST has received significant funding from Awards 2011 of NCHD’s in meeting their professional Enterprise Ireland to allow us take on the competence requirements. We anticipate necessary resources and expertise to RCSI Surgical Travelling Fellowship Award rolling this programme out in late 2011. continue the growth of this exciting area. Dr. Anne O’Neill and Mr. Brian Barry RCSI Surgical Travel Grants Research and Education International Programmes Mr. Rustom Manecksha Dr. Eimear Phelan We continue to support and develop our The internationalisation of Postgraduate Mr. Myles Smith research programme, both in our core Surgical Training and Education represents RCSI/Ethicon Foundation Travel Grants competency of surgical training but also a significant opportunity for the College. Mr. Padraig Daly in the broader clinical space. We have With long standing educational links with Mr. Rustom Manecksha been successful in securing grant funding Alumni and Fellowship around the world, the Dr. Anne C O’Neill from both industry and central sources to RCSI brand is recognised and respected for Dr. Frazer Smith support research fellows. Our taught Master excellence in the provision of undergraduate Mr. Myles Smith of Surgery (MCh) programme continues and postgraduate medical education. Within RCSI-Anthony Walsh/Ipsen Urology to grow with the inaugural class having postgraduate surgery, our ability to support Travelling Fellowship graduated this year. This educational course the training journey of both the trainee as Mr. Padraig Daly was facilitated through the collaboration well as the training body from ‘Internship Irish Travelling Fellowship, RCSI/RSM of many RCSI Faculties and Departments, to Fellowship’ offers a unique opportunity Section of Coloproctology and we convey our appreciation to our for RCSI to expand its mission across Dr. John P Burke colleagues throughout the College for geographies. In addition, with the support of The Millin Lecture their incredible input into the success of Irish Aid, the RCSI-COSECSA Collaboration Dr. Fraser Smith this course. We are developing a two year, Programme, supports in the development part time modular programme for 2011. of surgical training in several communities in the College of Surgeons of East, Central In addition, we recently secured National and Southern Africa (COSECSA) region. University of Ireland (NUI) approval for a MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Human Factors and Patient Safety. This is an Conclusion important recognition of the College’s Surgery remains central to who and what pioneering work in this critical area in we are as the Royal College of Surgeons medical training. RCSI is the only surgical in Ireland. The Department of Surgical training college in the world to offer this Affairs is committed to owning and comprehensive human factors training leading the key surgical initiatives and integrated into the surgical curriculum. activities that will continue to build on the reputation of RCSI in delivering the Noble Surgical Innovation Services Purpose upon which it was founded. The Centre for Innovation in Surgical Technology (CIST) provides medical device innovation, assessment and evaluation services for the medical device industry, for innovators and for surgeons. CIST continues to go from strength to strength, with over 50 innovative ideas being supported and developed at present.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 17 Research
PROFESSOR JOHN KELLY, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
KEy FACTS 92 number of research proposals funded €12.4m Research funding awarded to RCSI 253 Research postgraduate students
RCSI bRIngS TogeTheR SCIenTISTS and ClInICIanS fRoM TeaChIng hoSPITalS and ReSeaRCh laboRaToRIeS So ThaT neW dISCoveRIeS aRe TRanSlaTed aS QuICKly aS PoSSIble InTo PaTIenT TReaTMenTS.
18 RCSI | ANNUAL REPORT 2010–2011 RESEARCH
Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Angela Tangianu, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture; Professor Jochen Prehn, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI; and Professor Brian Harvey, Professor of Molecular Medicine, RCSI, at a reception for international Postgraduate Fellows and their supervisors, who are funded under the Career Enhancement Mobility Programme (CEMP).
Research is a central activity in RCSI’s mission to enhance human Appointment of new health and excellence in knowledge, and, through development and Director of Research innovation, our standing in the wider community. Our research promotes Professor John Kelly was appointed Director of Research in May 2011. Professor Kelly’s personal and professional development and stimulates interaction among background stretches from academia into colleagues within RCSI, nationally and internationally. RCSI educational industry and regulatory affairs. Originating activities greatly benefit from this commitment. We develop and train from an academic teaching and research new generations of researchers; students in our undergraduate schools background at Queen’s University, Belfast and RCSI, he then spent ten years in develop their analytical and deductive skills and learn the need for pharmaceutical industry research and evidence based approaches to therapy. Our research and undergraduate development and was Head of Research and students will, in their turn, continue our contribution to human health. In Chief Scientific Officer at Elan Corporation. Subsequently he became the founding the past 10 years RCSI research has become increasingly competitive Chief Executive of the Irish Medicines and in spite of the steep recession, RCSI investigators have been very Board which was the successor body to active and successful in seeking and securing funding support. the National Drugs Advisory Board. In 2001 he established the School of Pharmacy at RCSI, the second School of Pharmacy to be established in the State at that time and remained Head of the School until 2010. Period Research project proposals
Submitted Funded Success rate Funding Awards Jul 07 – Jun 08 187 89 48% In 2010-2011 RCSI researchers have maintained a remarkable success Jul 08 – Jun 09 154 66 43% in competitive project grant awards Jul 09 – Jun 10 158 71 45% both nationally and internationally.
Jul 10 – Jun 11 176 92 52%
Pictured (l-r) is Dr. Terry McWade, Deputy CEO, RCSI; and Professor Ray Stallings, RCSI Professor of Cancer Genetics, who delivered the John J Ryan Distinguished Lecture, at Research Day 2011.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 19 RESEARCH
Pictured (l-r) are Mr. Liam Duffy, CEO, Beaumont Hospital; Ms. Mary Walshe, Hospital Manager, Connolly Hospital; Professor Hannah McGee, Chair of the Academic Health Centre (AHC) Education & Research Group and Dean of Faculty of Medicine, RCSI; Dr. Terry McWade, Deputy CEO, RCSI; and Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/Registrar, RCSI at the AHC Education and Research Conference in Beaumont Hospital.
International successes Professor Ruairi Brugha was also successful National Successes Dr. Annette Byrne has successfully in securing FP7 funding support (€3 The Dublin City University (DCU)- RCSI coordinated a large-scale European million) towards the five year COST-Africa partnership in the Biomedical Diagnostics programme grant proposal, ANGIOPREDICT, project. This project aims to develop, Institute (BDI) has successfully secured €14.8 which has secured €6 million funding locally promote, and implement a proven million in direct funding as part of the largest support under the EU Framework 7 (FP7) model for training and retaining a new award ever granted by Science Foundation Cooperation Health programme. The ultimate cadre of non-physician surgical officers Ireland (SFI). The investment will support aim of the project is to identify patients in Africa which will potentially provide research and innovation focused on the with secondary colorectal cancer who have a standard of life-saving surgical care development of next-generation biomedical intrinsic resistance to treatment and to often denied to African populations, diagnostic devices at the BDI, a Centre for direct them towards alternative therapies, tackle major rural urban inequities and Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET). thus sparing them from potential treatment- transform district hospital care. This award from SFI represents a renewal related morbidities. ANGIOPREDICT also Dr. Caroline Jefferies was successful in of funding for the Institute for a further 5 represents a significant success for the securing funding support by the Alliance years and will support RCSI investigators led RCSI Systems Biology team led by Professor for Lupus Research (U.S.). This very by Professor Dermot Kenny and Professor Jochen Prehn and Dr. Heinrich Huber and competitive award will support Dr. Jefferies’ Elaine Kay. Professor Michael Berndt, the SFI funded Strategic Research Cluster research into the autoimmune disease Director of the Biomedical Diagnostics in Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics for Systemic Lupus Erythrematosus (SLE). Institute and RCSI Professor of Experimental Cancer in Ireland (MCTI) and its scientists Medicine, will lead the programme. This from RCSI (Dr. Annette Byrne and Dr. Bryan is a major achievement for the DCU- Hennessy) who will play a critical role in RCSI science and clinical partnership. the implementation of this programme. Under PRTLI Cycle 5, the RCSI School of Postgraduate studies, in collaboration with DCU and NUI Maynooth were awarded €1.9 million funding towards the establishment of the Bio-Analysis and Therapeutics Structured PhD Programme (BioAT). The Programme builds on the RCSI and DCU success in delivering the Heath Research Board (HRB) PhD Scholar Programme in Diagnostics and “BioAT addresses the challenge of increasing the Therapeutics for Human Diseases. BioAT addresses the challenge of increasing the quality, quantity and entrepreneurial skills of Ireland’s quality, quantity and entrepreneurial skills graduate researchers in the critical areas of the of Ireland’s graduate researchers in the critical areas of the biopharmaceutical biopharmaceutical and biomedical device industries.” and biomedical device industries.
20 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 RESEARCH
Dr. Celine Marmion, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, was the Principal Investigator in the discovery of a new innovative class of platinum drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, which has recently been licensed to a pharmaceutical company for further development.
Professor Hilary Humphreys and Dr. Bryan Professor Kieran Murphy was awarded RCSI was also successful in securing Hennessy secured two of only four HRB/SFI €430,000 funding by the Irish Mental seven SFI/Enterprise Ireland Technology Translational Research Awards made in 2010. Health Commission to analyse the use and Innovation Development Awards. The In partnership with Dr. Stephen Daniels of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and awardees were Dr. Ann Hopkins, Professor from DCU, Professor Humphreys’ research seclusion in clinical mental health practice. Jochen Prehn, Professor Fergal O’Brien, project will explore optimal methods for the Dr. Celine Marmion, Professor Niamh Moran, The RCSI awardees of the SFI 2011 Research detection of causes of healthcare-associated Dr. Stephen Keely and Dr. Caroline Jefferies. Frontiers Programme were Dr. Celine infections (HCAI) in the hospital environment. Marmion, Professor Mauro Adamo, Professor Dr. Bryan Hennessy’s project will focus on Fergal O’Brien and Dr. Emer Reeves. novel therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. Successful applicants of the HRB 2011 Dr. Stephen Keely was successful in the Health Research Awards included Professor prestigious SFI Principal Investigators (PI) Richard Costello, Professor David Henshall, award. His five year research project will Professor Jochen Prehn, Dr. Valerie Urbach, study the mechanisms by which bile acids Professor Fergal O’Brien and Professor David regulate the transport of fluids and ions in Williams. Each of the six projects were the intestines, which can be problematic in awarded between €200,000 and €300,000. conditions such as cystic fibrosis, infectious diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Dr Stephen Keely, Associate Director of the RCSI Molecular Medicine Lab at Beaumont Hospital, was awarded funding through Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) ‘Principal Investigator’ (PI) Programme for a research project which will investigate ways to treat problems associated with transport of fluids and ions in the intestines that occur in conditions such as cystic fibrosis, infectious diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Professor Hilary Humphreys, Department of Clinical Microbiology, RCSI and Beaumont Hospital was among those who were awarded funding under the ‘Translational Research Award’ programme supported through the Health Research Board (HRB) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) for research into hospital superbugs in collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU). Pictured (l-r) are Mr Seán Sherlock TD, Minister for Research and Innovation, Professor Hilary Humphreys, RCSI, Department of Clinical Microbiology & Beaumont Hospital; Dr. Stephen Daniels, Executive Director of the National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology, DCU; and Dr. James Reilly TD, Minster for Health.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 21 RESEARCH
Dr. Sanjay Chotirmall, Respiratory Research Division of RCSI, Beaumont Hospital, was a joint lead author on a study which unveiled a new understanding into how female sufferers of cystic fibrosis fare worse compared to male sufferers, due to higher levels of the hormone oestrogen which limits the lung’s ability to respond to infection.
Honorary Awards Impact PLoS Genetics. A study on neuroblastoma, Professor Geraldine McCarthy was awarded The standing of RCSI research is also carried out by the Cancer Genetics Research the Dr. Jacques Servier Scholarship by demonstrated by the high impact of the Group led by Professor Ray Stallings, was L’ Institut Servier in conjunction with journals in which RCSI investigators have highlighted in the high impact journal Nature Ireland Fund of France and RCSI. Professor published. Drs. Melanie Foecking, Jane Reviews of Clinical Oncology. Among those McCarthy received the award in recognition English, Patrick Dicker, Oliver Schubert, whose research featured as reviews in very of her collaborative research with Professor Mike Dunn, and Professor David Cotter high impact journals included Dr. Dermot Frederic Liote, (Paris Diderot University published in Archives of General Psychiatry, Cox and Professor Niamh Moran’s in Nature and Hôpital Lariboisière, France) on the which is the highest impact journal in the Reviews in Drug Discovery, and Dr. Warren biological effects of crystals in human field of Psychiatry. Professor Mauro Adamo Thomas and Professor Brian Harvey’s disease. Their research aims to advance and his team published in Angewandte in the Annual Reviews of Physiology. the understanding of the mechanisms of Chemie, the world leading journal in We take great pride in the successes of inflammation and tissue reaction to crystals chemistry, and in Chemical Reviews, the our researchers; the above are just a few as well as their role in causing osteoarthritis journal with the highest impact factor in of the examples of outstanding outputs and aggravating cardiovascular disease. chemistry. Dr. Markus Rehm, Professor that demonstrate the international Jochen Prehn, Dr. Marc Devocelle et al. standing of RCSI research. published in Cell Death and Differentiation, which is the highest impact journal in the field of cell death research. Professor John Waddington and his international partners from Harvard University and the International Schizophrenia Consortium published new findings on the genetics of schizophrenia in
Pictured at a special reception in the French Embassy in Dublin to celebrate the award of the Dr. Jacques Servier Scholarship by the Institut Servier in conjunction with the Ireland Fund of France and RCSI are (l-r) Professor Hannah McGee, Dean, RCSI; Ms. Lucy Vincent, General Director External Affairs, Servier; Professor Geraldine McCarthy, Honorary Associate Professor Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, RCSI and recipient of the Dr. Jacques Servier Scholarship; and HE Emmanuelle d’Achon, French Ambassador to Ireland.
22 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 RESEARCH
Mr. Joseph Ward, Molecular Medicine Laboratory, RCSI
Research Breakthrough Highlights Dr. Sanjay Chotirmall and Dr. Catherine irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s the first study of its kind to examine Greene in the Respiratory Research Division disease and colitis, has been uncovered in detail, the basis of psychiatric of RCSI, Beaumont Hospital, were joint lead by the RCSI Molecular Medicine Lab at disorders which occur in people with authors on a study which unveiled a new Beaumont Hospital. Current medications epilepsy. The findings of this study understanding into how female sufferers of are often ineffective and can have serious showed similarities with the brain cell cystic fibrosis (CF) fare worse compared side effects so this discovery gives hope patterns in people with schizophrenia. to male sufferers, due to higher levels of for the development of new treatments The research gives greater insights into the hormone oestrogen which limits the for sufferers of intestinal disease. The both conditions which may potentially lung’s ability to respond to infection. lead author on the paper was PhD student lead to new treatments in the future. Mr. Joseph Ward who worked under the A study by the RCSI Cancer Genetics A novel drug target for the treatment of supervision of Dr. Stephen Keely. Research Group, headed by Professor infection in bone (Osteomyeltitis) was Ray Stallings, has revealed insights into Dr. Celine Marmion (Principal Investigator) discovered as part of a joint project by neuroblastoma, the leading cause of and Dr. Darren Griffith, Department of the Host Infection Group led by Dr. Steve childhood cancer deaths. The findings Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Kerrigan and the Tissue Engineering may enable clinicians to predict the have discovered a new innovative class Research Group led by Professor Fergal severity of the tumour, allowing them of platinum drug candidates for the O’Brien. The research was awarded the to devise customised treatments, treatment of cancer, which has recently prestigious Donegan Bronze Medal at which could potentially help children to been licensed to a pharmaceutical the annual meeting of the Biomedical avoid unnecessary chemotherapy. company for further development. section of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, for a presentation given on A potential new target for the treatment Dr. Frederick Sundram and a team from the research by Mr. Amro Widaa, joint of a range of intestinal diseases that the Department of Psychiatry, RCSI lead author and final year PhD student. are associated with diarrhoea, such as and Beaumont Hospital, conducted
“Dr. Annette Byrne has successfully coordinated a large-scale European programme grant proposal, ANGIOPREDICT, which has just secured €6 million funding support under the EU Framework 7 (FP7) Cooperation Health programme. The ultimate aim of the project is to identify patients with secondary colorectal cancer who have intrinsic resistance to treatment and to direct them towards alternative therapies.”
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 23 Teaching and learning
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 25 School of Pharmacy 28 School of Physiotherapy 29 School of Postgraduate Studies 30 Institute of leadership 32 Faculty of dentistry 34 Faculty of Radiologists 35 Faculty of nursing and Midwifery and School of nursing 37 Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, RCPI and RCSI 39
RCSI haS a PRoud legaCy In delIveRIng QualITy healTh-foCuSed degReeS. ouR InTeRnaTIonal fooTPRInT of oveR 20,000 aluMnI WoRldWIde IS an oPPoRTunITy To eMPoWeR Today’S STudenTS To be The beST They Can aS The healThCaRe WoRKfoRCe of The 21ST CenTuRy.
24 RCSI | ANNUAL REPORT 2010–2011 Teaching and Learning
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Professor Hannah McGee Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Pictured are new RCSI students at a White Coat Ceremony held as part of the Orientation Week programme in the College. The event is held in recognition of the important career with responsibilities upon which the new students are embarking on. Key Facts
The last academic year has seen RCSI Degree awarding status 20,284 ratified as an independent degree awarding The last academic year will long be institution by the Irish Government’s remembered for the date October 12th Total alumni since 1784 2010; the date of the formal letter of Department of Education and Skills. This ratification of RCSI as an independent endorsement of the range and quality of degree awarding institution by the then 3,754 our health-focused degrees is testament Minister for Education and Skills Ms. Mary to decades of hard work by the College’s Coughlan TD. This level of independence Total number of registered is a very important national endorsement students and trainees academic, administrative and technical of the stature of our degrees. To mark this in RCSI staff in supporting our students to achieve new status, we invited our First Citizen, Her high standards in their academic studies. Excellency, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, to receive the first RCSI degree. On May 30th 2011, President McAleese was 348 conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Medicine, Pharmacy and Sciences and then joined RCSI Graduands at their Conferring Dinner to make a most Physiotherapy students memorable occasion for the Class of 2011. graduated Our new status has required addressing governance issues to ensure we can achieve best practice in relation to similar institutions. A new governing authority of our degree awarding activities has been established by the Council: the Medicine and Health Sciences Board. This Board comprises 26 members, including representatives of the public, and staff and student representatives. It is chaired by the College President. Public representatives are Professor Aine Hyland, Emeritis Professor of Education, University College Cork; Mr. Michael Kelly, former Secretary General, Department of Health and former Chief Executive, Higher Education Authority; and Dr. Anthony White, former President, Milltown Institute. This group will provide strategic guidance for our academic decisions in Ireland and internationally in the coming years, and will work closely with senior Faculty through the Academic Council. Pictured are Dr Frances Meagher (centre), Department of Medicine, RCSI Beaumont Hospital, with Fennessy Hogan Medal Winners Mr. Muhammad Harith Rosdi and Ms. Yazwani Yaacob, both RCSI Medical Students.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 25 Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
“The last academic year will long be remembered for the date October 12th 2010 – the date of the formal letter of ratification of RCSI as an independent degree awarding institution by the Minister for Education and Skills... This level of independence is a very important national endorsement of the stature of our degrees.”
Quality enhancement Deputy Director and Ms. Anne Weadick New Vice Dean and Faculty RCSI’s new degree awarding status comes as Administrator, the QEO has a breadth Executive Team in the year when the number of RCSI alumni of knowledge about the College’s degree The Faculty Executive Team are the core tops 20,000 for the first time. These numbers programmes and administrative support, and operational grouping who ensure delivery remind us of the large and international has the technical and academic expertise of the strategic priorities of the Medicine footprint of RCSI in healthcare delivery; a and independence to provide robust and and Health Sciences Board and Academic legacy to be proud of and a responsibility to informative evaluations of all of our academic Council. The new team for the next four take very seriously to ensure that we remain and administrative units on a sequential academic years are Dr. Celine Marmion in touch with all that is needed to empower basis. The model is that tailored review teams (Chemistry), Vice-Dean for Foundation today’s students to be the best they can as comprising external and internal evaluators Year and the Medical Commencement the healthcare workforce of the 21st century. provide constructive feedback based on Programme; Professor Clive Lee (Anatomy), a unit’s self-assessment report and a site Vice-Dean for Junior Cycle Programmes; There are many ways in which the College visit incorporating feedback from a range of Professor Arnie Hill (Surgery), Vice-Dean for ensures it maintains quality and stays College sources. This feedback concludes Intermediate Cycle Programmes; Professor ahead, rather than abreast of, others in with recommendations from which the unit Gerry McElvanney (Medicine), Vice-Dean educational innovation. The profile of the in question will develop and progress a for the Senior Cycle Programmes; Dr. Orna new team of Vice-Deans provides some Quality Improvement Plan. The first reviews, Tighe (Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics), specific examples of this. More broadly, in a five-year schedule, have just been Vice-Dean for Student Affairs; Dr. Alice reflecting the accreditation needs of a completed in the School of Postgraduate McGarvey (Anatomy). Vice-Dean for Student degree awarding institution, the College Studies and the Examinations Office. The Career Development; and Professor Tom established its Quality Enhancement Office model provides for continual renewal and Fahey (General Practice), Vice-Dean for (QEO) in late 2010. With Professor David improvement in a constructive and collegial Professionalism. Alongside Vice-Deans, two Croke as Director, Dr. Richard Arnett as manner and will help us to maintain the Associate Vice-Deans assist in supporting quality and attractiveness of our courses. the non-academic needs of students: Ms.
Pictured at the RCSI Alumni Gala Dinner 2010 are (l-r) Dr. Sieu Heah, Dr. Caroline Heah, Ms. Mei Ling and Dr. Godfrey Geh.
26 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences RCSI Deans Past and Present: (clockwise from back left) Professor Cathal Kelly (2006-2010), Mr Hy Browne (1994-1998), Professor Alan Johnson (1998-2006) and Professor Hannah McGee (2010- present)
Judith Strawbridge (Pharmacy) and Dr. Other Faculty-related retirements include “Reflecting the Marc Devocelle (Medicinal Chemistry). Ms. Mary Smyth, long-time administrator Each member has taken on these roles in in the Dean’s Office, Professor Walter accreditation needs addition to a busy work schedule and I thank Prendiville (Obstetrics and Gynaecology, each of them for a very successful first Coombe Hospital) and Professor Tom of a degree awarding year. Alongside the continuing Vice-Dean Clarke (Paediatrics, Rotunda Hospital). institution, the College roles, we have given further prominence The Graduate Entry Programme, following its to two themes: first there will be a more established its Quality first graduation class success in 2010, has explicit focus on professionalism throughout continued under the able new leadership the curriculum, so that student attitudes Enhancement Office of Professor Seamus Sreenan (Director) and behaviours, alongside knowledge, are and Dr Tom Farrell (Deputy Director). The (QEO) in late 2010... stimulated, shaped and assessed through Programme’s popularity ensures a diverse the programmes of study. Secondly to The model provides range of graduates bring a rich and unique ensure, through enhancing our graduate set of perspectives to their education, and for continual renewal support mechanisms and links with alumni in the Senior Cycle years of the programme, and international institutions, to deliver to the wider group of undergraduate and improvement in a the best possible career placement of colleagues who share their clinical rotations. our senior students and graduates. constructive and collegial
In keeping with our principle that Conclusion manner and will help us interprofessional education enhances It has been another busy and stimulating the education of all health professionals, to maintain the quality year for the Faculty. International initiatives representatives from each of the other and activities in the College as described and attractiveness of Schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, elsewhere, which include maintaining Postgraduate Studies, Institute of Leadership) our courses.” our educational activities in Bahrain and have now joined the Faculty Executive Penang and developing new programmes to promote joint development of policies with Perdana University in Malaysia, provide and initiatives across the Faculty. Faculty both challenges and new opportunities for Executive is ably managed by the Associate Faculty. My thanks to our excellent Faculty Director of Academic Affairs. This year, for all of our achievements in the last year; after 18 years with RCSI, Mr. Fintan Foy their commitment to the College means left this role to become Chief Executive that our students are very well served Officer of the College of Anaesthetists. and prepared for their career, whatever We thank him for such long and loyal and wherever that may be in the future. support of the College and welcome Ms. Judith Gilroy to this position.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 27 Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Pictured at the first Masters in Pharmacy graduation in November 2010 are (l-r) Professor Eilis Mc Govern, School of President, RCSI; Professor Paul Gallagher, Head of the Pharmacy School of Pharmacy, RCSI; Dr. Ambrose McLoughlin, Registrar /CEO, Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI); Ms. Noeleen Harvey, (former) President, PSI; Professor Hannah Mc Gee, Dean of the Faulty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI; Dr. Maurice Manning, Chancellor, NUI and Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/ Registrar, RCSI.
The School of Pharmacy at The graduation day was also marked by The School of Pharmacy continues to RCSI had its largest graduation the presentation of the Professor John enable the research clusters in College Kelly medal (named after RCSI Foundation through their expertise in drug delivery, in November 2010 with 47 Professor of Pharmacy) to Ms. Catherine biotechnology and pharmacokinetics. The graduating from the BSc Pharmacy Sweeney who had the best performance in Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Irish Drug programme, 139 from the Masters the undergraduate programme during the Delivery Network Research Cluster (in year. Catherine was also overall winner in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, of Pharmacy (MPharm), 27 from the the pharmacy category at the Undergraduate University College Dublin and University MSc in Industrial Pharmaceutical Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland and College Cork) contributes more than €1.3 Science, 13 from the MSc in was presented with the award by Dr. Mary million to RCSI in research funding through Healthcare Management, one Robinson, former President of Ireland. its Principal Investigators Drs. Sally Ann Cryan and Marc Devocelle. In an external In November 2010, the then Minister for MSc by research and four PhDs. market when continued funding was not at Health and Children, Ms. Mary Harney, TD, all assured, the research cluster successfully launched the first Continuing Professional The MPharm graduates were the first completed its mid-term review (2.5 years) by Development (CPD) programme for cohort conferred in Ireland, marking the an international panel of experts in 2010. pharmacists in Ireland, which was developed successful completion of the inaugural by RCSI. This programme, the Tutor Training The academic year concluded with year of the National Pharmacy Internship and Accreditation Programme (TTAP), was successes for PhD student Mr. Amro Widaa Programme. RCSI won the running developed by Professor Paul Gallagher (supervisor Dr. Steve Kerrigan) who was of the Programme on the basis of its and Mr. Hugh Carroll of the School of awarded the Donegan Bronze Medal at the performance in a competitive tender in Pharmacy and Mr. Dermot O’ Flynn and Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland and June 2009 and now all graduates from the Professor Ciaran O’Boyle of the Institute of Professor Mauro Adamo who published a Schools of Pharmacy in Ireland come to Leadership. This inter-faculty collaboration new breakthrough discovery on chemical RCSI to undertake their internship year. and use of technology to drive learning reactions in Angewandte Chemie, the in the workplace, showcases RCSI’s core world’s leading journal in chemistry. competencies and builds on the collaborative relationship between the RCSI Institute of Leadership and School of Pharmacy. In April 2011 the All-Ireland Schools of “The MPharm graduates Pharmacy Research Seminar was hosted by were the first cohort RCSI. There was record attendance at this event thanks to the meticulous oversight conferred in Ireland, by Dr. Brian Kirby with the assistance of Dr. James Barlow and Ms. Sharon Kerswell. marking the successful This dedication to hard work and excellence completion of the of the School is evidenced also in outputs inaugural year of the from the research strategy of the School with academic staff delivering 60 invited lectures National Pharmacy and conference presentations, supervising 26 students for higher degrees, securing Internship Programme.” over €900,000 in research and educational grants and publishing 49 peer reviewed publications during the academic year.
28 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences “The School of Physiotherapy launched the taught Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in School of Neurology and Gerontology in 2008; the Physiotherapy first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. The programme is delivered over two-years on a part-time basis and the first cohort graduated at a conferring ceremony which took place in November 2010.”
The 16th International World There was success for 5 undergraduate The European Union Geriatric Medicine Confederation of Physical Therapy physiotherapy students who were awarded Society (EUGMS) held its 6th Congress in Health Research Board (HRB) Summer the Convention Centre Dublin, September (WCPT) Congress was held in Student Scholarships for research projects 29th – October 1st 2010. Physiotherapists June 2011 in Amsterdam, Holland. investigating a range of topics including who recently completed the RCSI School of Over 5000 delegates from 101 chemotherapy induced peripheral Physiotherapy taught MSc in Neurology and neuropathy, concussion in sport, hip joint Gerontology were among those showcasing member organisations, of which kinematics and exercise in older people. their research to the 1300 delegates in Ireland is a member, attended the attendance. The EUGMS aims to develop The School of Physiotherapy launched conference. The RCSI School of geriatric medicine in Europe, to support the taught Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in availability of geriatric services to all European Physiotherapy delivered a total Neurology and Gerontology in 2008; the citizens and to promote education, continuing first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. The of 11 presentations (four oral, one professional development and high quality programme is delivered over two-years on a poster discussion and six poster evidence-based geriatric medicine. The part-time basis and the first cohort graduated RCSI group presented their research on presentations), at the Congress. at a conferring ceremony which took place a range of topics including; hip abduction The presentations were delivered in November 2010. The second intake of strength in elderly fallers and non-fallers, the nine physiotherapists will commence in by RCSI staff members, PhD effects of Nintendo Wii on balance, cognitive September 2010. The programme focuses students, past undergraduate performance and falls risk, mirror therapy in on the development and enhancement of upper limb stroke rehabilitation, experiences and postgraduate students. the professional research knowledge base of stroke patients and their carers following and skills required by physiotherapists hospital discharge, cycle ergometry training to fulfil their role in the rehabilitation of and its effects on exercise tolerance, neurological and elderly patients in the balance and quality of life in patients with context of changing health care services. Parkinson’s disease, and outcomes among older people following inpatient and day hospital rehabilitation programmes.
Pictured with the first MSc in Neurology and Gerontology class from School of Physiotherapy, RCSI are Academic Staff Ms. Louise Keating (back row, far left), Ms. Dara Meldrum (2nd row, far left), Dr. Helen French (back row, third from right) and Dr. Frances Horgan (front row, right) .
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 29 Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
School of Postgraduate Studies
“The EAC was very impressed with scholar presentations, the quality of the science and the willingness to engage in discussions.” External Advisory Committee (EAC)
During the past year, the School Increase in Postgraduate 601 taught Masters). These include research of Postgraduate Studies has Numbers postgraduates, registered in RCSI Dublin, who are completing their projects in RCSI worked closely with the Dean, The School caters for a community currently comprising 260 postgraduate research Bahrain. The increases in research student Professor Hannah McGee, in students, 72 postdoctoral fellows and 102 numbers can be attributed to successes in fulfilling our mission to elevate supervisors. It oversees higher degrees by large scale funding applications to agencies such as the Higher Education Authority fourth level education in RCSI research (PhD, MD, MCh, MSc) across a (HEA) under the Programme for Research and to help create a platform number of campuses in Ireland and abroad, a number of co-tutelle PhD programmes, in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI cycles 3, for innovation and discovery. taught MSc programmes as well as 4 and 5) and the Health Research Board postdoctoral and supervisor training. (HRB) Structured PhD Programmes. The increases in taught postgraduate numbers The Quality Journey Research postgraduate numbers have are due to new programmes such as In order to meet National and European increased year on year since 2005 (from the Masters in Pharmacy (MPharm). objectives in graduate education, the 314 in 2005/2006 to 854 postgraduate School of Postgraduate Studies underwent students in 2010/2011: 253 research and a Quality Review in May 2011, the first RCSI unit to do so. This was carried out by an international Peer Review Group and was overseen by the Quality Enhancement Office. In advance of a site visit, documentation on all aspects of the School’s activities and its All Postgraduates – Research & Taught interactions with stakeholders was provided. The group met many postgraduate students, 900 research supervisors, and thesis examiners in RCSI, affiliated teaching hospitals and 800 in RCSI Bahrain. We are extremely grateful for the enthusiastic commitment given to 700 the entire procedure by our stakeholders 600 and look forward to implementing recommendations from the report. 500 One of our structured PhD programmes 400 “Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Human Disease” (HRB) also underwent a quality 300 review by an External Advisory Committee (EAC) which carried out a site visit in 200 February 2011. EAC members spent one day at the St. Stephen’s Green campus 100 and one day at Beaumont Hospital meeting 0 scholars and their supervisors. The EAC recommendations included training in 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 grant writing which involves scholars Taught PG Research PG submitting grant proposals on their proposed PhD projects followed by rigorous Postgraduate registrations from 2005 to 2011 review by senior Principal Investigators.
30 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011
900
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0 0 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 A B C D E F Teaching and Learning Transition year student Faculty of Medicine learning practical laboratory and Health Sciences skills as part of RCSI’s Transition Year MiniMed School Programme.
Members of the Postgraduate “Postgraduate student Students Union. numbers have increased year on year from 314 (135 research) in 2005 to 861 in 2010 (253 research).”
Postgraduate Students Union Mini Med School Conclusions The School provides assistance to As part of its outreach activities, the This past academic year has been a highly postgraduate students in becoming fully School also runs the annual Transition successful one for our graduates and their incorporated into life at RCSI. It also provides Year MiniMed School which this year gave supervisors. As we face challenging times an optimum environment for personal, 160 pupils from 80 schools one week’s we endeavour to sustain and develop the academic and career development and experience of being an RCSI medical quality of our fourth level programmes mechanisms for dealing with issues such as student. Typical comments from participating and the services we provide to our quality of supervision, conflict resolution, students over a 3-year period are: stakeholders. We look forward to facing intellectual property and other rights. The these challenges with your support. • “It was enjoyable, informative and helped School, working with the Postgraduate me to decide what courses I applied for.” Students Union (PGSU), provides an environment for academic and social • “Gave me a really informative insight contact between postgraduate students in into the career and encouraged me different areas. This provides an excellent to choose medicine as a career.” conduit for postgraduates to meet their • “I still think about the experiences I peers through organised activities and went through during that week. Seeing meetings including welcome and careers the operations and also learning how events, workshops and social occasions. to give injections was brilliant!”
Pictured with postgraduate students who were among those conferred with higher degrees by research at the June 2010 conferring are Professor Kevin Nolan, Head of the School of Postgraduate Studies (3rd row, right) and Dr. Helen McVeigh (2nd row, left), Postgraduate Programmes Manager.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 31 Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Institute of Leadership
The challenge to modern healthcare organisations to deliver excellent health services in a safe, effective and efficient manner has never been greater and the need for leadership never more acute. The mission of the Institute of Leadership is to improve health by optimising patient-centred care through the professional development of excellent leaders, Pictured (l-r) are Ms. Aoife Coffey, Mr. Frank Kelly, Ms. Alana Moore, Ms. Anita Ambikapathy and Mr. David Robinson who were awarded with MSC in Healthcare, Ethics and Law at the RCSI Conferring day educators and managers. This in November 2010. year, we conferred 198 health professionals with Masters degrees in Healthcare Management, This year the Institute introduced two new We also launched a new MSc in Leadership Masters degrees and a new Diploma in in Health Professions Education which Leadership and Management Leadership. In collaboration with Dublin harnesses participants’ potential to Development, and Quality and City University, we are providing a bespoke become educational leaders in the health Safety in Healthcare Management. DCU/National University of Ireland (NUI) professions. The programme is unique in that Graduation ceremonies took place accredited programme for Beaumont it combines education in leadership with Hospital. Launched in October 2010 by the principles and practice of curriculum in Bahrain, Dubai, Dublin and the then Minister of Education, Ms. Mary design, instruction, assessment, research Jordan. A further 12 graduates Coughlan, TD, the new MSc programme and evaluation. It is planned to provide this were conferred with MSc degrees in Organisational Change and Leadership programme in the United Arab Emirates in Bereavement Studies, in a Development, the first of its kind in in collaboration with the University of Ireland, will develop the management Sharjah. This year also saw the launch of programme conducted by the Irish and leadership cadre of the hospital. The a new Diploma in Leadership in Bahrain Hospice Foundation and accredited programme is applied in nature and even designed to develop the potential of by the RCSI through the Institute. after the first semester, senior management healthcare personnel in the country. at the hospitals were highlighting the positive impact of the participants’ projects on the delivery of services.
“…the new MSc programme in Organisational Change and Leadership Development, the first of its kind in Ireland, will develop the management and leadership cadre of the hospital.”
32 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Teaching and Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Pictured are Academic staff from the Institute of Leadership with MSc graduates from Dubai, “The challenge to modern healthcare organisations (l-r) Pictured at Mr. Luke Feeney, Lecturer; Ms. Tina Joyce, Director of Operations, Ms. Sabin to deliver excellent health services in a safe, effective Afram, MSc Graduate; Dr. Pauline Joyce, Director of Academic Affairs, Ms. Sonali Datta Juneja, and efficient manner has never been greater and the MSc Graduate; Mr. Mohamed Shaaban, MSc Graduate; Mr. Steve Pitman, Lecturer; and Ms. need for leadership never more acute.” Sibeal Carolan, Lecturer.
We continue to work closely with our The Institute’s consultancy and training College of Physicians of Ireland and funded colleagues in the School of Pharmacy on activities grew significantly this year with by the Forum of Postgraduate Bodies, the National Pharmacy Intern Programme projects being undertaken in Abu Dhabi, Institute staff developed two new modular (NPIP); the Department of Surgery on the Bahrain, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar distance courses in patient safety and in the MCh programme; and with the School of and Saudi Arabia. A team from the Institute training of health professionals as teachers. Postgraduate Studies, providing bespoke delivered a “Train the Trainer” programme A new distance education programme was development programmes for scientists. in Cairo for over 80 surgeons from centres also developed for the Pharmaceutical We also further developed our collaboration throughout Egypt. The programme was Society of Ireland in order to meet the new with the Royal College of Physicians of delivered in the context of an ongoing legal requirements for pharmacist tutors, Ireland and developed a new collaboration agreement between the RCSI, the Egyptian taking on trainees, to be competent trainers. with the Irish College of Psychiatrists. High Committee of Medical Specialties Institute staff presented papers at and the Ministry of Health. A programme in In collaboration with the RCSI Department conferences in Abu Dhabi, Dammam, “Leadership and Organisational Development of Surgery and the Health Service Executive, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Montreal, in the Healthcare Sector” was also delivered the Institute hosted a training programme Qatar and Rotorua (New Zealand). in Egypt in September in collaboration on “The Productive Operating Theatre” with the Arab Administrative Development The coming academic year will see the designed by the UK’s National Health Organisation (ARADO). The Institute has Institute continue to broaden its range of Service (NHS) Institute for Innovation also provided training for the Supreme blended learning programmes, increase the and Improvement. This human factors Council for Health in Qatar and SEHA, the range of its consultancy, launch an MSc in programme is designed to increase Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. Leadership in Health Professions Education the safety, efficiency and reliability of with the University of Sharjah and make surgical care while also improving team The Institute continue to develop our core significant contributions to the College’s performance and staff well-being. competencies in the delivery of blended COSECSA project in sub-Saharan Africa. learning. In collaboration with the Royal
Over 50 healthcare professionals graduated with Masters in Healthcare Management and Quality and Safety in Healthcare Management at a conferring ceremony in Dubai in December 2010.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 33 Teaching and Learning
Faculty of Dentistry
Pictured at the Postgraduate Conferring Ceremony in December 2010 are Professor Gerard J. Kearns Dr. Naomi Rahman, Fellowship of the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral Surgery; Dean, Faculty of Dentistry Dr. Patrick Byrne, Former Dean, Faculty of Dentistry; and Dr. Michael O’Halloran, Fellowship of the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral Surgery with Oral Medicine.
It is a great honour to succeed Dr. The Faculty has developed the Post and Mater Hospital and also administrative PJ Byrne as Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Dental Education Programme service to the Faculty of Dentistry as Board which is a series of lectures provided in Member and Director of Specialist Training Dentistry. I wish to congratulate modules and delivered in the College on in Dentistry. His measured contributions Dr. Byrne on his tenure of eleven Saturday mornings. The second series and insightful opinion have been invaluable years on the Board and as Dean of four modules is due to commence in over many years at the Faculty and we will September and we hope to welcome all greatly miss his presence at the Faculty. of the Faculty over the past four a large attendance as before. Dr. Peter We wish him well in his retirement. years. He has worked tirelessly Cowan has pioneered this excellent during that time and amongst programme and is to be congratulated. Faculty Board his many other contributions The Faculty remains committed to our Professor Gerard J. Kearns the “Roadmap for Postgraduate overseas programmes both in the Middle Dean Training in Dentistry” has been East and also in North America. The Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry Dr. John Walsh developed and fine tuned under (MFD) Examination continues in the UAE, Vice-Dean/Honorary Secretary his stewardship. I look forward Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait and the MFD Dr. Seamus Napier to the challenges of serving the preparation course continues in Kuwait. Honorary Treasurer Faculty as Dean over the coming The joint NYU / RCSI Programme in Oral Dr. Declan Corcoran years and am grateful for the Medicine and Oral Surgery is well established Honorary Editor support and trust placed in me at New York University (NYU) and the first Mr. Gordon Watson MFD Part 2 Diet is scheduled in New York in Council Representative by my fellow Board members. September 2011. The Dean and Immediate Dr. Frank Burke Past Dean visited NYU in June when the Dean The past year has been a busy and exciting accepted the Arnold Maislen Award in Oral Dr. P.J. Byrne Surgery on behalf of the Faculty of Dentistry. year with activities continuing both at Mr. Ken Halpenny home and overseas. In addition, there has The Annual Scientific Meeting was held in Dr. Therese Garvey been continued involvement in the Forum October 2010 with the theme of “Practice of Postgraduate Training Bodies and also Today”. The Faculty welcomed a large Dr. Sean Malone with the newly constituted Surgery and attendance to the meeting and look Dr. Christine McCreary Postgraduate Faculties Board at the College. forward to the 2011 Meeting in October, The Irish Committee for Specialist “Prosthodontics and Endodontics”, with Dr. Alan McMichael a number of highly regarded speakers Training in Dentistry (ICSTD), a standing Dr. Osama Omer committee of the Faculty, is chaired from at home and overseas. Mr. Peter Ramsay-Baggs by Professor Finbarr Allen. Mr. Ken I wish to acknowledge and thank the Faculty Halpenny is the newly appointed Director Board Members whose hard work and Mr. David Ryan of Specialist Training in Ireland. expertise permits the ongoing activities at Mr. Sean Sheridan The Irish Committee for Primary Dental home and overseas. I wish to particularly Care (ICPDC) is chaired by Dr. PJ Byrne thank Dr. Seamus Napier and Mr. Peter and provides representation from a Ramsay-Baggs, who demit office this year, broad base in primary dental care. The for their contribution over many years to the committee meets on a quarterly basis Board. Finally, this year saw the retirement and continues to address the needs in of Mr. David Ryan after many years of training in primary dental care in Ireland. clinical service at the Dublin Dental School
34 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Teaching and Learning
Faculty of Pictured at the December Radiologists 2010 Postgraduate Conferring Ceremony are (l-r) Dr. Barry Kelly, Honorary Secretary, Faculty of Radiologists; Dr. Patrick McLaughlin, Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists, Radiodiagnosis; Dr. Adrian Brady, Dean, Faculty of Radiologists; and Dr. Joe Coyle, Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists, Radiodiagnosis.
Dr. Adrian Brady Dean, Faculty of Radiologists
The past few years have been 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Radiology Programme marked by increasing engagement founding of the Faculty of Radiologists After completing his term as Dean, in 1961, and the occasion will be by the Faculty of Radiologists with Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide has continued celebrated at our Annual Scientific as National Clinical Lead for the National employing and regulatory agencies. Meeting in September 2011. Radiology Programme. The programme has We strive to ensure that all bodies developed a number of initiatives through with which we interact understand Quality Assurance (QA) a difficult time of change, increasing the nature of our core function: The Faculty Diagnostic Radiology QA demand and accumulating pressure, guidelines were launched in September 2010, and continues to engage productively the provision of postgraduate and are, at present, being implemented in with other clinical programmes. training in the medical specialties all radiology departments. Some elements of Diagnostic Radiology and are amenable to immediate adoption; Accreditation Radiation Oncology. Inevitably, our others require the provision of an IT The Faculty has volunteered its training solution, integrated into hospital PACS activities have broadened beyond programmes in Diagnostic Radiology and (Picture Archiving and Communication Radiation Oncology for accreditation by the this core, in the interests of System) systems. We are delighted that Medical Council this year; we expect this safeguarding the quality of training, approval to tender for development for process to be completed by the end of 2011. and ensuring that the clinical a suitable IT platform has been granted by the Department of Finance. We are services which are provided by our grateful for the support of the Health Radiologist workload trainees, Fellows and Members Service Executive (HSE), National Cancer The Faculty’s document “Measuring are at the highest-possible level. Control Programme, Health Information and Consultant Radiologist Workload in Quality Authority, Department of Health Ireland” was published in March 2011, and Children, and the Royal College of and has been widely circulated to Fellows, Physicians in Ireland, in this important work. Hospital Managers and the HSE. This exercise has shown that Irish Consultant Radiologists’ workload is well in excess Relations with the HSE and MET of international benchmarks. The method The Faculty has completed its first year of used has been endorsed by the National engagement with the Medical Education Radiology Programme, and the HSE National and Training (MET) office of the HSE, based Programmes Office, and should form on a formal signed agreement covering the basis for measurement of radiologist “2011 marks the funding and provision of postgraduate workload in the future. This is a major training. MET have confirmed that the 50th anniversary advance on the pre-existing situation where Faculty has met all its obligations under the old-fashioned and frequently inappropriate of the founding first year’s agreement, and we look forward methods of measurement were used. to continued mutual good relations. Through the National Programme, the HSE of the Faculty of now plans to re-run the data collection to Radiologists in 1961…” obtain the most up-to-date data possible, and we will use every means possible to advocate for the resources which the available data show are needed to allow radiologists do their work safely and to the highest possible standards.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 35 Teaching and Learning
Pictured at the Postgraduate Conferring Ceremony in July 2010 are Dr Risteárd Ó Laoide, Former Dean, Faculty of Radiologists; Mr. Matt O’Shea and Dr. Victoria Chan, Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists.
Validation Acknowledgements Faculty Board Validation issues (relating to candidates I would like to acknowledge the great Dr. Adrian Brady seeking entry to the Specialist Register) commitment and hard work of all Faculty Dean have become increasingly complex and Board members through the past year. busy and the role of the Faculty has The volume of work undertaken by the Dr. Clare Faul evolved to meet these needs in recent Faculty necessitates wide sharing of the Vice Dean years, with increasing engagement with load, and every Board member has played Dr. Barry Kelly the Medical Council. All advice provided a full, dedicated role. Particular thanks Honorary Secretary to the Medical Council by the Faculty on are due to the Honorary Secretary, Dr. Professor Dermot Malone Validation applications is based on sound, Barry Kelly, Honorary Treasurer, Professor Honorary Treasurer valid, fair evaluation of submissions, using Dermot Malone and the Vice-Dean, Dr. methodologies supported by legal opinion. Clare Faul, each of whom has shouldered Dr. Peter K. Ellis extensive responsibilities with great skill. Dr. Peter Kavanagh Faculty Governance I would like to acknowledge the invaluable Dr. Ian Kelly The Faculty has entered into a signed support of the full-time professional Faculty Memorandum of Understanding with the staff, Ms. Jennifer O’Brien and Ms. Karen Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide President and Chief Executive/Registrar of Milling. They are, in many ways, the key Dr. Maeve Pomeroy RCSI, detailing how relations between the workers who keep the Faculty ship afloat, and Faculty and the College will be conducted I am deeply indebted to them for their help, Dr. Niall Sheehy in future, with particular reference to support and advice through the past year. Dr. Max Ryan matters of finance and human resources. This Annual Report marks the end of the This is a very significant positive step, and Dr. Ronan S. Ryan Faculty’s first half-century; we all hope should give certainty and clarity to these that the Faculty will continue to grow Dr. John Stack aspects of our affairs. We’re grateful for and develop into our second 50 years. the positive engagement we have had Dr. William Torreggiani with RCSI officers through this process. The Faculty is also represented on the new Surgery and Postgraduate Faculties Board of RCSI; this body is proving to be an imaginative and very useful forum for sharing information and debate on issues of common interests among the postgraduate arms of “The Faculty’s document “Measuring Consultant the College, and we welcome its formation. Radiologist Workload in Ireland” was published in March 2011… The method used has been endorsed by the National Radiology Programme, and the HSE National Programmes Office, and should form the basis for measurement of radiologist workload in the future.”
36 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Teaching and Learning
Faculty of Nursing “In line with its philosophy, the and Midwifery and Faculty has an inherent aim, School of Nursing through its programmes, to develop a caring, reflective practitioner who has the ability to seek out and use research based knowledge for the purpose of improving patient care.”
Dr. Áine Colgan Professor Seamus Cowman Dean of the Faculty of Head of the School of Nursing Nursing and Midwifery
From its foundation and Education Programmes In support of health policy and in inauguration in 1974, the Faculty During the year there was 448 students collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and individual hospitals of Nursing & Midwifery has sought registered with the Faculty. The programmes are delivered on a part-time basis at a number of new education programmes to maintain the highest standards bachelors, masters, higher diploma, to prepare Advanced Nurse Practitioners in education and training for postgraduate diploma, and diploma and have been developed with academic and professional accreditation and validation health professionals. As one of certificate levels of learning. All of our from An Bord Altranais and the NUI: the earliest and longest-serving education programmes are compliant with the Bologna principles and the National • Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing/ providers of nurse education in Framework of Qualifications and are Midwifery (Advanced Practice), RGN Ireland, the Faculty has ensured approved through the National University (Advanced Practice) Gastroenterology wide ranging and relevant of Ireland (NUI) and An Bord Altranais. Care: Colorectal Screening The programmes are based on a modular programmes of education for and Disease Management system, incorporate accreditation of prior nurses from a variety of clinical learning, and facilitate flexible pathways • MSc Nursing (Advanced Practice) specialities. The programmes to NUI educational awards. In accordance (Additional Strand Gastroenterology Care: Colorectal Screening and range from certificate level to with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, educational awards are offered Disease Management) PhD, with a close alignment to at level 8 (bachelors), level 9 (masters), and clinical practice. In line with level 10 (PhD). Students may study for major, Research Achievements its philosophy, the Faculty has minor and supplemental awards. In addition, In order to meet the needs of a continuously an inherent aim, through its a number of stand-alone modules are also changing health care environment and offered which focus on particular areas of programmes, to develop a caring, maintain best practice, nursing research is clinical practice. Successful interdisciplinary essential. Faculty staff have successfully reflective practitioner who has education collaboration continues with played a leading role in research and the ability to seek out and use the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy development both nationally and and the Department of Surgical Affairs. research based knowledge for the internationally. Since its launch in 2007, the Faculty Research Centre has been purpose of improving patient care. The Faculty is currently delivering its education programmes through blended proactive in the development and conduct learning. Blended learning involves online of multidisciplinary, multiagency research computer-mediated teaching combined with and in supporting MSc, MD and PhD face to face teaching. Combining these two students in the conduct of research. A Health learning strategies, using the benefits of Research Board (HRB) funded, 3-year study each, has resulted in greater accessibility to develop, implement and evaluate best to learning, for students. Our aim is to practice in day surgery is being conducted continue to be innovative in our educational in collaboration with ESRI and HSE. The approach and we are currently working role of the nurse in radiation oncology and towards the development of an exclusive the clinical nurse specialist in cancer care e-learning model of educational provision has been evaluated in collaboration with for some of our education programmes. St. Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar. This work is important in the context of professional development and reconfiguration of cancer
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 37 Teaching and Learning
Pictured at the 30th Annual RCSI International Nursing & Midwifery Conference are (l-r) Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of Department, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery; Dr. Janet Pettit, California, USA; and Professor Roger Watson, University of Sheffield.
care services. Prevalence of lymphoedema continuing to develop her role in respiratory Challenges for the Future among persons with diabetes attending education while also developing research The opportunity to bridge the theory practice vascular and wound management clinics interests in both palliative care in advanced gap is often fraught with difficulty, with is being investigated in collaboration chronic illness and action research as organisational and environmental factors with AMNCH Tallaght. A Pan-European an approach to developing practice. exerting a significant influence on how care eDelphi study of management of violence Ms. Catherine O’Neill submitted her PhD is provided. In today’s health care climate, in psychiatry has commenced across 22 work on practitioner perspectives on patient it is likely that these factors will continue countries and in ten languages. Currently, autonomy at the end of life. Ms. Mary O’Neill to influence practice, challenging the there are seven students registered for also continues her PhD work on integrated professional ideals of nursing/midwifery. The MSc, MD and PhD within the department. care in stroke services. Ms. Catherine Clune- Faculty continues to actively support and Dr. Zena Moore and Professor Seamus Mulvaney has been successfully awarded a facilitate nurses and midwives to develop Cowman received a Highly Commended place on the PhD scholars programme at the their clinical and professional competence, Honour for their work on economic analysis RCSI, and will commence in September 2011. through innovative approaches to education of pressure ulcer prevention, at the Wounds development and delivery. In doing so, the Each year the Faculty hosts an international UK 2011 Awards. These awards recognise faculty is supporting the profession to lead nursing & midwifery research & education the outstanding achievements of those who cost effective efficient healthcare services, in conference. This year the conference are improving standards in wound prevention increasing challenging clinical environments. celebrated its 30th year, with over 200 and management, through research, national and international delegates in clinical audit and practice development. Faculty Board attendance. The key note address was In April 2011, Dr. Geralyn Hynes returned delivered by Professor Paul Trueman, Dr Áine Colgan to the Faculty following research leave. Professor of Health Economics, Health Dean Her research focus was palliative chronic Economics Research Group, Brunel Ms. Edna Woolhead obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care University; with plenary presentations from Vice-Dean for which she was funded through a HRB Dr. Patricia Grocott, Reader in Palliative fellowship. Alongside this, she undertook an Wound Care, King’s College London; Ms. Ms. Louise Johnston Irish Hospice Foundation-funded research Janet Pettit, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Honorary Secretary project that examined the experiences of Neonatology, California, USA; and a guest Ms. Maureen Duff carers of people with advanced COPD. presentation from Professor Roger Watson, Honorary Treasurer Since her return to the Faculty, she is Editor of the Journal of Clinical Nursing. Dr. Anne Marie Ryan An Bord Altranais Professor David Bouchier Hayes Council Representative Professor Seamus Cowman Pictured at the 30th Annual RCSI Ms. Catherine Clune-Mulvaney International Nursing & Midwifery Conference Ms. Mary Jacob are Ms Emily Logan, Ms. Mary MacMahon Ombudsman for Children, who delivered Ms. Eileen Maher the opening address; Dr. Aine Colgan, Ms. Mary Murray Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery; Ms. Helen Walsh and Professor Eilis McGovern, President, RCSI.
38 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Teaching and Learning
Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, RCPI and RCSI
Sports Journalist and Author, Mr Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, delivers the opening address at the Annual Conference of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine 2010 Dr. Philip E. Carolan Dean, Faulty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, RCPI and RCSI
In May 2011, Part 11 of the Medical International Activities I would like to thank all Members and Practitioners Act 2007 came into The Faculty is represented at Council Fellows and the Faculty Board for their support during my three years as Dean of effect, which requires all doctors meetings of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine UK, which provide a the Faculty. It has been a challenging but to register with an appropriate valuable opportunity to meet colleagues a rewarding time. I have achieved some of Professional Competence Scheme. in the UK and to share experiences on the goals that I set for myself and there are many more that are yet to be achieved. The Medical Council recognised opportunities and challenges within the the Faculty of Sports and Exercise specialty of Sports and Exercise Medicine. The Faculty is also a member of the European Faculty Board Medicine, RCPI and RCSI, as the Federation of Sports Medicine Associations body to run the Scheme for Sports (EFSMA), the main goal of which is to Dr. Philip E Carolan Dean and Exercise Medicine and Dr. achieve recognition of Sports Medicine as a specialty within the European Union. Dr. John O’Riordan L. Joe Conway is the Manager Honorary Secretary of the Scheme on behalf of the In September 2010, the Dean delivered a lecture on Sports and Exercise Medicine in Dr. L. Joe Conway Faculty. The Faculty is due to Ireland at the European College of Sports and Vice-Dean be assessed for Accreditation Exercise Physicians Conference in London. Dr. Frank McGrath as a Training Body and provider Treasurer of Higher Specialist Training by Annual Scientific Conference Professor Eilis McGovern the Medical Council in 2013. A successful Annual Scientific Conference President, RCSI was held in RCSI in September 2010 which Dr. John Donohoe provided a forum for Postgraduate Trainees President, RCPI and established doctors to present their Postgraduate Training Mr. Frank McManus material. During the Conference, the Faculty Representative of RCSI Council The Dean represents the Faculty on the conferred Honorary Fellowships on Professor newly established RCSI Surgery and Peter Fowler, a renowned Orthopaedic Professor N G McElvaney Postgraduate Faculties Board. He also and Sports Surgeon from London, Ontario, Representative of RCPI Council represents the Faculty on the Forum of and on Mr. John Treacy, Chief Executive Dr. Rod McLoughlin Postgraduate Training Bodies and is currently of the Irish Sports Council, in recognition Representative of Irish Institute of Sport working with the Forum Executive on an of his contribution to Irish Sport. application to the Medical Council and HSE Dr. Nick Webborn/Professor Mark Batt Medical Education Training and Research I wish to thank the committee, FSEM UK Representative (METR) office for approval and funding for especially the Chairmen Dr. Joe Dr. Mary Archer a Postgraduate Training Programme. Conway and Dr. Martin McConaghy, for organising a very interesting event. Dr. Joseph Cummiskey Professor Giuseppe De Vito Joint Diploma in Dr. Pat Duggan Musculoskeletal Examination The first cohort of 24 practitioners Dr. Martin McConaghy graduated with a Joint Diploma in Professor Michael G. Molloy Musculoskeletal Examination in November 2010. The programme was conducted in Dr. John O’Riordan conjunction with the Irish College of General Dr. Padraig Sheeran Practitioners (ICGP) and it is planned to run the course again in 2011/12. Dr. Michael Webb
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 39 RCSI International
We are a global premium provider of medical education and our continued international expansion in this area contributes towards putting Ireland on the map as world-class education providers.
40 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 RCSI International
Valedictorian for undergraduate medicine Dr. Sara Al Khanaizi (right) with Dr. Faisal Al Mousawi, President, RCSI Bahrain, pictured at the RCSI Bahrain conferring ceremony in June 2011.
RCSI International Projects King Hamad University The collaborative agreement provides for In 2010/2011, RCSI continued to Hospital – Bahrain the establishment of the PU-RCSI School focus on our priority of delivering high The King Hamad University Hospital is of Medicine and a 5-year Undergraduate quality programmes in a number of currently in the final stages of development Medical Programme, under licence international centres and this year saw and is scheduled to open on time, in from RCSI. The Programme, which will a major expansion in Malaysia, with the last quarter of 2011. The 311-bed be supported by RCSI, will lead to the two exciting new ventures there. facility will be the main teaching hospital awarding of the RCSI and NUI degrees, for RCSI Medical University of Bahrain subject to the achievement of the required academic standards. AMC and Perdana RCSI Bahrain and will provide world-class healthcare services to the local community. will deliver the Programme with local staff The second graduating ceremony of and with the assistance of the senior staff the RCSI Medical University of Bahrain seconded from RCSI. Regular reviews will (RCSI Bahrain) took place with a total of Perdana University – RCSI also be carried out by the RCSI Quality 169 graduates from postgraduate and School of Medicine, Malaysia Enhancement Office. The Programme was undergraduate courses conferred. The In May 2011, RCSI concluded a collaborative recently approved by the Malaysian Medical class of 2011 consisted of 55 graduates of agreement with the Academic Medical Council, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency the School of Medicine, 100 of the School Centre SDN BHD (AMC) for the provision and the Ministry of Higher Education. of Nursing and seven Masters graduates. of an undergraduate medical programme in Perdana will also offer a Graduate Entry Given the national political unrest in Bahrain AMC’s newly established university, Perdana Medical Programme in collaboration with from Spring 2011, special credit is due to University (PU). AMC, which is a public Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Professor Sameer Otoom, Dean at RCSI private partnership between the Government Bahrain for his stewardship of the degree of Malaysia and private interests, is in the The first intake of approximately 100 programmes to successful completion on process of establishing a medical school, Junior Cycle 1 students will commence the scheduled graduation date of June 13th 800 bed hospital and research facilities in their studies in September 2011. 2011. The graduation event was a remarkable Putrajaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Perdana venture is a new and innovative testament to the work of management Professor Anthony Cunningham, former initiative for RCSI. It has a number of and staff, and student dedication to Professor of Anaesthesia at RCSI and advantages including further increasing our their studies despite the challenges. Beaumont Hospital, has been appointed footprint in the important Malaysian market, as Foundation Dean, alongside a number being in line with Malaysian Government of key RCSI academic staff who have strategy, providing further opportunities for chosen to be seconded to Kuala Lumpur staff, and allied to a low capital investment to support him in establishing and requirement and prudent risk management. delivering the RCSI programme. With over 600 RCSI graduates registered on our Alumni database from Malaysia, and with students already on our Dublin and Penang programmes, this latest venture provides another important RCSI link to Malaysia.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 41 RCSI International
Pictured (l-r) is Professor Eilis McGovern, President, “RCSI is a culturally RCSI, presenting a Gold Medal to Dr. diverse, truly international Hoo Chai Zhen at the Penang Medical College organisation with a highly Conferring Ceremony. respected Fellowship and Alumni representation of almost every country in the world.”
Terengganu, Malaysia One of the main advantages of this Penang Medical In March 2011, RCSI welcomed a programme is that Malaysian students College, Malaysia delegation of Ministers and officials from undergo their clinical training in The 11th cohort of graduates of Penang the State Government of Terengganu, the environment in which they will Medical College (PMC) in Malaysia, in Malaysia, and signed an agreement for later practice, while benefiting from which the College is a joint partner with the provision of medical education in a comprehensive grounding in the University College Dublin, celebrated Terengganu State by RCSI and UCD. science of medicine in Dublin. their conferring on 19th June 2011. 104 new doctors graduated, bringing to The new agreement will involve establishing The Most Hon Haji Ahmad Razif bin Abd over 800 the total number of graduates a medical college branch campus in Rahman, Terengganu State Minister for from PMC. PMC doctors now serve in the capital, Kuala Terengganu, which Education, was among those who travelled Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, is on the east coast of Malaysia. to Dublin to sign the agreement which strengthens the long relationship in medical Sri Lanka, Ireland and further afield. Following a similar model to that which education between Malaysia and Ireland and The degrees awarded to PMC graduates are we have successfully deployed in Ireland’s international reputation for training recognised as registrable by the Irish Medical Penang, Terengganu students will come high quality, clinically skilled doctors. Council and the Malaysian Medical Council. to Ireland to study at RCSI and UCD for Thus, PMC graduates need not undertake 2½ years. The students will then return any further examinations to register in to the new medical school in Terengganu Ireland. This attribute of the degree makes to undertake their clinical training and it particularly attractive to doctors who wish complete their medical degrees, which will to undertake further specialist training. be awarded by the two Irish colleges.
Penang Medical College (PMC), Board of Directors 2011: (l-r) (front) Dr. Terry McWade, Deputy CEO, RCSI; Dato’ Lee Kah Choon, Director, PMC; Professor Bill Powderly, Head of School of Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD); Dato’ Mansor Bin Othman, Chairman of Board and Deputy Chief Minister Penang I; Dato’ Dr. Godfrey Geh, Director, Geh Sim Wah; Professor Eillis McGovern, President, RCSI; Dato’ Rosli Bin Jaafar, General Manager, Penang Development Corporation; (back) Mr. Ching Neng Shyan, Company Secretary; Mr. Mukunden Menon, Registrar/Deputy CEO, PMC; Professor Colm O’Herlihy, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UCD; Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/ Registrar, RCSI; Professor Hannah McGee, Dean, Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, RCSI; Professor Amir Khir, Dean, PMC; and Mr. Brendan Lyons, President, PMC.
42 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 RCSI International
Pictured following the signing of an agreement for the provision of medical education by RCSI and University College Dublin at their Dublin campuses and by the two colleges in the State of Terengganu in Malaysia are (l-r) Dr. Hugh Brady, President University College Dublin; YB Dr Jahi A Rahman bin Mokhtar, Terengganu State Executive Council, YB Haji Ahmad Razif bin Abd Rahman, Terengganu Committee Chairman on State Education; and Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive/ Registrar, RCSI.
International Alumni “With over 600 RCSI graduates registered on our Alumni and Fellows RCSI is a culturally diverse, truly international database from Malaysia, and with students already on organisation with a highly respected our Dublin and Penang programmes, this latest venture Fellowship and Alumni representation in almost every country in the world. This provides another important RCSI link to Malaysia.” year saw a number of international Alumni and Fellows meetings taking place. The North American Chapter of Fellows meeting took place in October 2010 in RCSI Alumni based in the United Arab RCSI Alumni based in Toronto, Canada, Washington. The Meeting was hosted by Emirates (UAE) attended a special reception met for a reception in May 2011 where Professor Eilis McGovern, President, RCSI, hosted by Ciaran Madden, Irish Ambassador Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive / and was held during the American College of to the UAE in Abu Dhabi in January 2011. Registrar and Dr. Alice McGarvey, Vice-Dean Surgeons (ACS) Annual Meeting with over 40 Over 200 RCSI Alumni attended the for Student Career Development, updated Fellows, Graduates, Council Members and reception, as RCSI endeavours to strengthen graduates on developments in RCSI. Trainees of the College attending the event. relations with its Alumni in the region and to Alumni based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia create an active Alumni Association in the met in July 2011 as part of a reception Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. to celebrate the launch of the Perdana University – RCSI School of Medicine at the Irish Ambassador’s Residence, Kuala Lumpur. The Overseas Chapter aims to foster and promote a mutually beneficial relationship between the College and its graduates and Fellows and develop a life-long relationship by keeping all involved and informed in the College, through channels such as The Surgeon Journal, the RCSI website, News Scope, Chapter’s and the Fleam Journal.
Mr. Pat Rabbitte, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (right) congratulates Professor Anthony Cunningham, Foundation Dean of the Perdana University - RCSI School of Medicine at the announcement of the new Medical School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which was made at the annual RCSI conferring ceremony in the National Concert Hall in June 2011.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 43 Development Office
Proposed plans for new Library Development.
We foster partnerships of mutual benefit with individuals, trusts, foundations and the corporate sector to support the educational experience for our students and to fund pioneering research programmes.
44 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
A team from RCSI competed in the 115th Boston Marathon to raise funds for Breast Cancer Ireland. RCSI Boston Marathon Team Runners: (front row, l-r) Ms. Gillian Burke, Ms. Sarah Kwan, Ms. Emily Callery, Ms. Kailyn Kwong, Ms. Sinead Maguire, Ms. Corriena Brien (Student Services Manager), (back row, l-r) Mr. Simon Clifford, Mr. Peter Tormey, and Mr. Jordan Veenstra.
The Development Office at RCSI fosters partnerships of mutual National Breast Cancer Clinical benefit with individuals, trusts, foundations and the corporate Research Programme sector. These partnerships are vital as they assist the College in It has been an exciting year for Breast Cancer Ireland at RCSI, with the launch of its provision of excellent standards in teaching and research and a the much awaited National Breast Cancer quality third and fourth level educational experience for students. Clinical Research Programme - Ireland’s first National Breast Cancer Bio Resource, RCSI is extremely grateful to all its friends and donors over created in joint partnership with Aviva. the past year for their continued and inspiring support, made The initiative will bring together leading all the more noteworthy in these challenging times. national clinicians and scientists to create the country’s first National Breast Cancer Tissue Bio Resource. This will facilitate collaborative research which is essential in order to gain maximum benefit from the Library Development Philanthropy plays a key role in leveraging resource to enable speedier discoveries Celebrating its 200 year tradition of learning funding from both private sources and public bodies and we are delighted with and ultimately more effective and on St Stephen’s Green, the College has personalised treatments for patients. embarked on a redevelopment programme the engagement to date, from so many. for the Mercer Library: the heart of campus Initial seed funding of €450,000, from Aviva, life, learning and inquisition at RCSI. Breast Cancer Research at has secured the employment of Breast RCSI raises €1.7 million for Cancer Research Nurses based at three of The Library Development Project is central pioneering programmes the designated breast cancer centres, with to RCSI’s vision to provide the highest initial representation in Cork, Waterford quality education and training for our Breast Cancer Ireland at RCSI and Professor Arnold Hill, RCSI Professor of Surgery and Limerick to facilitate the collection students and to support lifelong learning of serum and tissue samples and provide and teamwork skills. The new development and Director of Breast Cancer Ireland acknowledge the continuing support patient support. These nurses will not only will offer a revitalised resource for our be responsible for the delivery of high staff and students to meet the needs of and generosity to their programmes this year which has resulted in €1.7 million quality nursing care, but will also provide increasing numbers of students and education and patient support, promoting enhanced technology requirements. in funds raised. This level of support, in these very turbulent economic times, overall breast awareness amongst patients The facility will support multiple learning is heart warming and overwhelming. and their families in the wider community. styles and teaching practices through technology rich and multi-purpose spaces, Noticeably, this year there has been a huge yet still retains the highly valued silent, increase in the number of donors supporting reflective spaces of a traditional Library. our work, albeit at lower financial levels, but nonetheless, such nationwide support A comprehensive fundraising campaign has helped in heightening awareness for the development of the Library as to the important role that research (€4 million) is currently underway, led plays in advancing treatments for breast by Aisling Hurley, Director of Alumni and cancer. Our goal is to transform breast Development, that will incorporate a major cancer from often being considered a gift and graduate appeal mechanism. fatal disease to one that can be managed, Having commenced this project earlier long term, through treatment. this year, we have raised almost €500,000 from graduates and private donors alike – a great endorsement, in today’s climate.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 45 Community
We are committed to enhancing the standards of health, education and life chances among our local communities and people worldwide.
46 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Community
Pictured at the ‘Come to Your Senses’ summer course are (l-r) primary school teachers Ms. Alice Higginbotham, Ms. Bernadette Kehoe, Ms. Catriona McEnery and Mr. Kevin Mullin with Dr. Marc Devocelle, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry.
RCSI IN IRELAND PROMOTING SCIENCE, “If I didn’t understand The College’s community outreach and MEDICINE AND RESEARCH access programme, REACH RCSI, aims to Programmes to promote interest in something in class, I promote and support the participation of research, medicine and science were would come here and they those from lower socio-economic groups run throughout the year, attracting in education and promote lifelong health young and older people alike by making would make it easy.” in the community. Since the programme’s science fun, exciting and accessible. REACH Homework Club participant inception in mid 2007, 2,755 individuals have The hugely popular MiniMed School, been involved in REACH initiatives and 612 presented by leading health professionals RCSI staff and students have volunteered from RCSI, provided an informative with the programme. REACH RCSI works 25 primary science teachers participated and entertaining series of free public in close partnership with schools and other in the ‘Come to your Senses’ summer lectures. The lectures took place monthly local groups in South East Inner City Dublin. course delivered by the RCSI Primary from October 2010 - May 2011 on a Science for Teachers Initiative (PSTI) Participants of the REACH RCSI Programme range of healthcare topics including team. The workshops aim to encourage during 2010/2011 benefited from initiatives ‘Life After Stroke’, ‘Youth Mental teachers to develop their confidence such as: Study Skills Seminars; Bursary Health’ and ‘The Sense of Smell’. and enthusiasm for science education in for College; College4U Workshops; work 160 Transition Year (TY) students attended their own classrooms. The initiative is a experience placements; guidance and the week-long TY MiniMed Programme component of the REACH RCSI programme. support with college applications and CV which provided an opportunity to preparation; “Debating Science Issues” The Annual Public Outreach Lecture, experience what it is like to train and Competition; Mock Interviews with RCSI organised by RCSI’s Research Office, work as a doctor. A further 120 Transition HR staff; Science Ambassador Programme; was delivered by Professor Brian J Ford, a Year students from the South East took Kiran Pathak Scholarship in Pharmacy; renowned research biologist based at the part in the Waterford RCSI TY MiniMed Sponsorship of new football kits for Aungier University of Cambridge who presented Programme at the HSE-RCSI Education Celtic FC and the Liberties Club; Sports Day; a remarkable theory that human cells Centre at Waterford Regional Hospital and and Free Health Checks provided annually can ‘think’ independently of the brain; at Waterford Institute of Technology. by staff at Mercer’s Medical Centre. a theory which may lead to a greater understanding of many disease processes. Homework Club is a core access initiative of the REACH RCSI Programme and offers free one to one tuition to local second level students on site in the College. Over 100 individuals have been supported Pictured (l-r) are since 2007 through involvement with the Transition Year Students club by RCSI student and staff volunteers Ms. Aoife Doyle, Ms. Dearbhalille Murphy, who not only reinforce learning at school, and Ms. Eabha Mulcahy but also provide helpful study tips and who participated in the techniques to help them succeed in Waterford RCSI Transition their classes. The experience of being Year MiniMed training on campus at RCSI and the informal programme. interaction with staff and students has an immeasurable positive impact on participants of the REACH Programme.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 47 Community
A SODIS training meeting “It is estimated that 4.5 where members of the local community learn about solar million people, worldwide, disinfection of drinking water. are living healthier, safer lives, as a result of this simple (SODIS) innovation.”
GLOBAL INITIATIVES The RCSI/COSECSA (College of Surgeons processes and expansion of training in Mr. Declan J. Magee, Chairman of East, Central and Southern Africa) essential surgical skill to non-physician RCSI OUTREACH, Committee for Collaboration Programme, aimed at clinicians. Increased emphasis has also been International Cooperation addressing the dearth of surgically trained placed on the operational and organisational health care professionals in sub Saharan aspects of COSECSA. As a result of this Africa, has continued to expand, and collaboration, 2011 will see a record number As a leader in medical education, training and in November 2010 Irish Aid approved a of COSECSA examination candidates, with 39 research, RCSI strives to advance the quality three-year funding commitment which Membership and 29 Fellowship candidates of healthcare in the developing world by puts the Programme on firm ground for the due to sit examinations in December. sharing knowledge and providing training and immediate future. By the end of 2011, the There were a number of significant expertise in medicine, research, healthcare Programme will have been successfully achievements for initiatives at the and surgery. In recent years, there has been rolled out to all nine COSECSA countries. Department of International Health and a marked increase in the engagement of Although housed in the Department of Tropical Medicine, under the leadership of RCSI in the developing world and 2010/2011 Surgical Affairs, the Programme has involved Professor Sam McConkey. In recognition has been no exception, with the College many departments in RCSI, and is now a of the importance of its contribution to continuing to strengthen links with parts truly College-encompassing initiative. The the malaria control programme in Gambia, of Africa and Asia in particular. The review Programme is now one of the largest of its The Gambian National Malaria Surveillance and coordination of these diverse activities type in Africa. From a clinical perspective, programme, which began as an RCSI-led is under the auspices of RCSI OUTREACH, increased focus has been put on blended Irish Aid-funded research project, is to be Committee for International Cooperation. learning through a specially designed funded and expanded by the Global Fund e-learning platform, improved examination for Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Among the significant publications during the year was the results of Hepatitis B therapeutic vaccine trials in The Gambia in the PLOS One journal. The first phase I clinical trials, which are the first trials in the world of new vaccines against malaria, are taking place at the Clinical Research Centre at Beaumont Hospital. On a sad note during the year, Fr Dr Robbie McCabe, visiting lecturer in Tropical Medicine in RCSI, passed away, after a long and inspiring career as a doctor, a teacher in RCSI, a priest, and a writer. During his career, he worked tirelessly caring for the sick and the wellbeing of others in the hot desert region of Lake Turkana, Northern Kenya and in Zimbabwe.
COSECSA President, Dr. Frederick Mutyaba, (right) presents the Honorary Fellowship of COSECSA to Professor Gerry O’Sullivan, Past- President of RCSI (left) in recognition of his work in establishing links between the two Colleges with the objective of enhancing surgical training and standards in the East, Central and Southern African region.
48 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 Community
Pictured are students of the Medical Missionaries of Mary Primary School, located next to the District Clinic in Makondo in South West Uganda, who are participating in one of the SODIS studies, which involves solar disinfection of drinking water.
In January 2011, RCSI became a member The Department of Epidemiology and Public Among the global initiatives affiliated to of the European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) and Health Medicine, RCSI under the leadership RCSI is the overseas Paediatric Exchange Dr. Terry McWade, Deputy CEO, represents of Professor Ruairi Brugha, has been engaged Programme, which has been rebranded RCSI on its board. EVI is a collaborative in a number of global initiatives during the as Operation Childlife, and is overseen by research organisation advocating for year. The FP7 EU-funded Clinical Officers Founder and Program Director Professor funding, and fostering development of Surgical Training in Africa (COST Africa) Martin T Corbally, Consultant Paediatric new effective affordable vaccines. project is due to commence training of 20 Surgeon at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital clinical officers in essential surgery in Malawi Crumlin and Associate Professor at RCSI. The Dr. Alice McGarvey, a Vice-Dean of the and Zambia in 2011/2011. RCSI is a partner Programme works with organisations such Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, in the Irish Aid co-funded Connection Health as the Christina Noble Foundation, Children has developed a new programme of student Research in Africa and Ireland Consortium in Crossfire and the Atlantic Philantropies electives in Africa which is being piloted which, during 2011, completed research to perform complex surgical procedures this summer. The placements have been on human resources for health, equity and and to upskill local paediatric surgical secured via the COSECSA collaboration access to services; and governance of the teams. In Vietnam, over 180 patients have and an induction programme was provided health system in seven African countries. The been successfully treated for congenital by Professor Sam McConkey in May 2011. Health Research Board (HRB) funded nurse heart lesions since the program opened The four-year EU-funded SODISWATER migration project (2006-2010) has helped to in March 2010. The paediatric surgical project, coordinated by Dr. Kevin McGuigan, inform health workforce planning and policy oncology program in Tanzania, continues Department of Physiology and Medical making. A project on migrant doctors in to educate local surgical teams in the Physics, which explored solar disinfection Ireland, also funded by the HRB, is currently management of paediatric solid tumours. of drinking water, concluded in October underway. The Department is involved in The RCSI OUTREACH Committee for 2010. It is estimated that 4.5 million people, two research projects which are addressing International Cooperation is also engaging worldwide, are living healthier, safer lives, the impact of global health initiatives on the with the Institute of Orthopaedics to as a result of this simple innovation. The health systems of the recipient countries: evolve a response strategy for global project has clearly demonstrated that the Global HIV/ AIDS Initiatives Network health emergencies, cooperating with the childhood dysentery rates in Cambodia, (GHIN), co-funded by Irish Aid, and FP6 College of Anaesthesia on their initiatives Kenya and South African can be reduced EU-funded research consortium projects in Africa, and liaises with other endeavours, by up to 50 per cent if solar disinfection on Global Health Initiatives in Africa which affiliated to RCSI, such as Right to Sight. (SODIS) practices are adhered to. A further aims to understand how the rise of these exciting finding of the project was that initiatives has impacted on development children in Kenya who consumed SODIS partnerships and health systems functions water over a 12-month period were found in five southern African countries. to be significantly taller and heavier than children who did not use SODIS. This is the first trial of household water treatment in the developing world to show evidence of Pictured at the “Surgical Training in East, Central and Southern Africa - beneficial effects on childhood development. A Regional Approach” Conference Dr. McGuigan’s SODIS work has now are (l-r) Professor Stephen Ogendo, extended to Uganda where he is supervising Secretary General, COSECSA and two Irish Aid-funded PhD students who Dr. Diarmuid McClean, Senior are studying the benefit of SODIS in rural Development Specialist, Irish Aid. The College of Surgeons of primary school education programmes East, Central and Southern Africa and applied to harvested rainwater. (COSECSA) supported by Irish Aid and RCSI hosted the event which took place in London.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 49 Finance
RCSI is a not-for-profit, independent academic institution with charitable status. The financial model we operate is primarily self funding and the organisation continues therefore, to create its own future.
50 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 FINANCE
“The dual strand programme of delivering new income initiatives while maintaining the cost base without compromising the quality of the programmes delivered, continues to be a key management objective.”
Ms. Jennifer Cullinane Director of Finance
Overview Financial Highlights RCSI is a not-for-profit, independent The College is engaged in activities in Ireland and overseas and include both those activities academic institution with charitable that are core to the organisation’s mission such as education and training and those which status. The financial model operated provide a valuable source of revenue, such as that from the endowment portfolio and is primarily self funding and must fundraising activities. cover both current and capital funding requirements. The organisation continues therefore, to create its own future. Years ended 30 September 2010 and 2009
Review of the Year Income & Expenditure 2010 2009 2010 was a year of unprecedented € millions € millions economic challenges with limited liquidity in the market place, recessionary market Income conditions, falling asset values, reduced Core Activities (Education, Research, Surgery) 101 100 State funding and with some relief from Endowments & Fundraising 11 12 a low interest rate environment. Total Income 112 112 The organisation’s financial performance improved in the year with income levels being maintained and strong management Expenditure of the cost base. Student recruitment Operating Costs (104) (109) targets continue to be met in the year. Cash management was a key focus, Net surplus 8 3 particularly given the current environment. The organisation successfully refinanced its main banking facilities despite the challenging financial landscape. The facilities Balance Sheet negotiated ensured that the banking Net Assets 16 29 covenants signed up to were aligned with the organisation’s strategy and will allow the necessary scope for future growth. Following the application for independent Degree Awarding Status, the organisation’s financial model was assessed. A recommendation regarding the allocation basis for non-pay resources will be taken on board as part of the 2011 budgetary process, following consultation with education and health sciences academic departments. A review of pension matters commenced during 2009 and continued through 2010. Like many organisations the College faces an underfunded defined benefit pension scheme which has seen significant volatility over the last number of years. The College plans to move to a more balanced asset and liability model to help bring more certainty to the future funding levels.
RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011 51 FINANCE
“The organisation’s financial performance improved in the year with income levels being maintained and strong management of the cost base.”
Activities in Ireland Balance Sheet Prospects for the Future Income and Expenditure Despite the improved financial performance, The College has a number of strategic net asset values have fallen by almost financial priorities for the coming year. The College continues its dual strand 50% over the prior year mainly due to the approach to improving financial performance In the year ahead the organisation reduction in the capital value of endowments through income generation and cost plans to maintain the level of improved at the year end and the increased pension management. The approach has contributed financial performance seen over the deficit as a result of prevailing market to a significant improvement in the year last number of years. The dual strand conditions. Despite the fall in the value in the overall financial performance of programme of delivering new income of the endowment portfolio, it remains the organisation. The surplus in the year initiatives while maintaining the cost income generating for the Institution. amounted to €8 million, an increase base without compromising the quality from €3 million in the previous year. The College continues to maintain its of the programmes delivered, continues capital investment programme which is to be a key management objective. Income generation across the core activities focused around improving the educational of the College has grown in the year, The focus on risk management continues infrastructure and amounted to a spend offset by a slight fall in fundraising income in light of the challenges faced like many in the year of almost €5 million. in line with expectations in the current organisations around debt servicing, economic environment, to maintain income property investments and pension deficits. levels in line with the prior year levels. Overseas The organisation monitors continually the The College continues to operate its key business risks of market competition, The cost base continues to fall with a Education programmes in a number of inflationary pressures and interest rate risk. further decrease of 5% in the year as a overseas locations such as Malaysia, Through a general strategy of de-risking we result of both the maintenance of the Dubai and Bahrain. The Medical University continue to work to reduce where possible cost management programme and the of Bahrain has now completed its setup the volatilities around the funding model benefit of low interest rates. Staff costs phase of development and saw its first and build contingencies in light of the have been contained and non-pay costs medical graduates in 2010. The local trading uncertainties in the world in which we all live. have reduced by a further 3% in the year. currency is that of Bahraini dinar which I wish to acknowledge the support of the In a service industry, staff play a key is pegged to the US dollar. The operation finance team led by Mr. Michael McGrail role in delivering on the organisation’s continues to perform in line with the during my period of absence and the strategic objectives. Great credit is due business plan. Income has grown in the commitment shown by Mr. John O Halloran to RCSI’s staff who have worked together year with increasing student numbers and in his role as Financial Controller over the last to deliver on the budgetary targets set. the cost base has been maintained. The year. We look forward to another year working organisation continues to generate sufficient together to deliver on the financial strategy, cash to meet its local loan commitments to contribute to the organisation’s objectives which have funded the University and to provide the necessary support to key development. The entity is forecast to turn business line owners across the College. to a surplus position in the coming year. “Great credit is due to RCSI’s staff who have worked together to deliver on the budgetary targets set.”
52 RCSI | Annual Report 2010–2011
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland TEL: +3531 402 8610 Coláiste Ríoga na Máinleá in Éirinn FAX: +353 1 402 2458 123 St Stephen’s Green EMAIL: [email protected] Dublin 2 www.rcsi.ie Ireland