Late Career Surgeon

A surgical career naturally evolves over time, and the later stages are no exception. There are numerous opportunities for experienced surgeons to stay engaged, including roles in clinical governance, management, teaching, and research. Expanding involvement beyond surgical practice can make this transition more fulfilling, allowing surgeons to continue making meaningful contributions while maintaining a purposeful and rewarding career.

Surgeons Don’t Just do Surgery

As a surgeon’s career advances, they cultivate both clinical and non-clinical skills. Experienced surgeons have a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and abilities that are highly sought after across medicine, research, and industry, opening up a wide range of opportunities.

There are many roles open to surgeons within the RCSI and also in the clinical settings throughout the country.

  • Teaching
  • Academia
  • RCSI Roles
  • Hospital Management
  • Clinical Governance
  • HSE/Department of Health Roles
  • Board membership
  • Research
  • Examiner

Non-HSE Hospital Network

The private hospital network in Ireland is one that many surgeons are familiar with and there are significant opportunities for experienced surgeons at management level, for those who have the knowledge and capability of how hospitals function and how to lead multi-disciplinary teams.

The opportunities include:

  • Clinical Director
  • Operational Roles
  • Senior Management team (SMT)
  • Multi-disciplinary team

Clinical Governance

Roles within Clinical Governance are oversight roles where there is a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care. These are senior roles reporting to the Board with training and development opportunities.

Those in clinical governance roles address structures, systems and processes that assure the quality, accountability and proper management of an organisation’s operation and delivery of service.

These are hands off roles looking at polices and process, clinical KPIs, risk mitigation and incident report systems.

Opportunities at the RCSI

Activity Contact Person email
Teaching at post graduate level including faculty on OSS and CPD courses Prof Barry McGuire, Professor of Postgraduate Surgical Education and Academic Development RCSI barrymcguire@rcsi.ie
Teaching at Under Graduate level Prof Arnold Hill Dean of Medical Programmes at RCSI adkhill@rcsi.ie
MRCS examiners Padraig Kelly, Associate Director Department of Surgical Affairs padraigkelly@rcsi.ie
Interviewing at core and higher specialist training Caroline McGuinness, Associate Director of Postgraduate Training cmcguinness@rcsi.ie
Assessors or supervisors on masters’ programmes Padraig Kelly Associate Director Department of Surgical Affairs padraigkelly@rcsi.ie
Research Activities Anne Marie Byrne Programme Manager/National Surgical Support Centre (NSRSC) annemariebyrne@rcsi.ie


Health and Wellbeing

Your health and well-being are essential at every stage of your career. For many, a surgical career is deeply tied to their identity, and concerns such as maintaining self-esteem and peer support can significantly influence decision-making in the later stages. As retirement approaches, surgeons should consider various aspects of their health and well-being to ensure a fulfilling and balanced transition.

This issue is explored in detail in the:  Late Career Surgeon Report which can be found here

Financial Planning

This is also a time in a surgeon’s career when financial planning matters can come to the fore and this can be stressful for individuals and their families.

Pensions are undoubtedly complex and surgeons often have a dearth of understanding of their benefits with the majority of surgeons having worked in a number of different clinical settings both in the public and private sector.

Surgeons should seek out professional advise and not put this off until a later date.  It is important to have your own financial plan and not leave this to others.

The 5 points below should be considered when devising a financial plan. Inflation will impact significantly on funds on deposit, most notably during times of high inflation. On retirement it may be advisable to invest funds where a reasonable return is expected.

Mistakes that people often make:

  1. Underestimate the cost of living and inflation
  2. Underestimate how long you will live
  3. Overestimate your income
  4. Invest too conservatively
  5. Increased Cost – Healthcare and Long-Term Care
Based on the 2002 Natixis Global Survey – 2,700 respondents across 16 countries surveyed in 2022.

Many surgeons nearing retirement often lack a clear plan and may not have a full understanding of their day-to-day expenses. Navigating pension entitlements can be challenging, and in some cases, benefits go unclaimed due to a lack of accessible information. Seeking professional financial advice on drawing down benefits is essential, as improper guidance can result in unnecessary tax liabilities.

Useful links:

The Pensions Authority

Pensions Ombudsman

Further information on the RCSI commitment to those at the latter stages of their career can be found in the report below.