
Statement from Managing Director of Surgical Affairs: Kieran Ryan – 18th March 2020

Dear Colleague
In the light of the current extraordinary circumstances, RCSI wishes to clarify our position in relation to our training and education activities.
Specialty Training 2020
- Appointments to the national Core Surgical Training Programme is complete.
- Appointments to the National Core Emergency Medicine Training Programme is complete.
- Appointments to the National Advanced Specialty Emergency Medicine Training Programme is complete
- Appointments to the National Higher Surgical Training Progammes have been brought forward to this week and will be completed by 14th of March
Education, Training and CPD SS courses
In the interest of public health and minimizing the need for healthcare professionals to congregate and to be away from their hospitals we are cancelling all courses planned in the college from now until the 17th April. We will continually review the developing situation and in the event that we have to extend the cancellation period we will update you fortnightly. We can also confirm that RCSI will do all it can to accommodate our trainees and students so that there is a minimal impact on their training.
MRCS and FRCS Examinations
The upcoming diets of the MRCS Exams in Dublin and Belfast scheduled for this April and May are also cancelled. More information will be issued from the Intercollegiate Examinations bodies this week. We have also cancelled our MRCS exam diets internationally up to August 2020
In relation to FRCS Examinations, you should contact the JCIE directly.
The RCSI has been making business continuity arrangements all last week and this week to ensure our staff are enabled for remote/home working. We will be placing information on our website, our voicemails and our emails on how to contact our team as needed. We are following the advice of public health, HSE and Government officials and we ask all our colleagues to do the same.
This is an unprecedented time for our health services and our citizens. RCSI will provide as much support as possible and you can be assured of our understanding on the challenges the next few weeks and months will bring to you and our health services. As circumstances change we will inform you accordingly. We will be fully contactable so please do not hesitate to contact us with your queries.
Yours sincerely
Kieran Ryan
Managing Director Surgical Affairs
RCSI.