RCSI Millin Meeting 2025 explores future of surgical research

The annual RCSI Millin Meeting, will take place on Friday, 14 November. This year’s theme is ‘Shaping Future Surgical Research and Training’ and will explore the evolving role of the surgeon-scientist in modern practice.  

Two important reports will be launched at this year’s Millin meeting. The RCSI HSE National Clinical Programme in Surgery will publish the ‘National Clinical Guidance for Elective Care Facilities’, an important body of work outlining clinical standards for elective surgery facilities.  

The second report, Supporting Surgeons in Ireland, sets out key recommendations designed to strengthen and future-proof the supports provided by RCSI to Fellows, Members and trainees, ensuring that surgeons and trainees can continue to thrive throughout their training, professional development, and clinical practice. 

The meeting will emphasise the importance of integrating discovery with clinical practice as we educate the next generation of surgeons. Throughout the day, attendees will hear from a variety of keynote speakers:  

• The 48th Millin Lecture, entitled “Personalised Oesophageal Cancer Care: From Micro, to Macro, to Reality” will be delivered by Professor Jarlath Bolger, Consultant Upper GI Surgeon and Associate Professor of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital. Professor Bolger will explore recent advances in the treatment of oesophageal cancer care, outline developments from the molecular level through to surgical interventions and examine how surgeons can embrace the move towards personalised care. 
• The opening keynote, on innovations in trials methodology, will be delivered by Professor Declan Devane, Professor of Health Research Methodology and Deputy Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway.  
• Professor Shirley Potter, RCSI National Training Programme Director for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, will provide practical insights and guidance about how to balance the management of high-quality research with the clinical commitments of an early career consultant in order to truly deliver on bench to bedside research impact. 
• Professor Jennifer Cleland, Lee Kong Chian (LKC) School of Medicine, Singapore and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, will present her research on different perspectives in the development of surgical training.   
• Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, Director of The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute, University of Cambridge, will explore an evidence-based approach to improvement and innovation in surgery. 

Members of the media are invited to attend. Please register to attend by emailing communications@rcsi.ie 

See the full event programme here 

Key times: 

09.05        

KEYNOTE LECTURE:   
BETTER TRIALS, BETTER EVIDENCE: INNOVATIONS IN TRIALS METHODOLOGY  
Professor Declan Devane, Professor of Health Research Methodology and Deputy Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway  
  

13.00  

KEYNOTE LECTURE:   
THE FUTURE OF THE CLINICIAN SCIENTIST  
Professor Shirley Potter, Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, St James’s Hospital & Blackrock Clinic; Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, University College Dublin; National Training Programme Director, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, RCSI   

14.30   

KEYNOTE LECTURE:  
EVIDENCE-BASED SURGICAL TRAINING  
Professor Jennifer Cleland, Lee Kong Chian (LKC) School of Medicine, Singapore and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK   

16.00  

Launch: Supporting Surgeons and Trainees, RCSI will launch a landmark report providing a comprehensive and evolving programme of support for surgeons across Ireland.   

16.25  

Launch of the National Clinical Guidance for Elective Care Facilities  

16.35    

KEYNOTE LECTURE:  
AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO IMPROVING AND INNOVATING IN SURGERY  
Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, Director of The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute, University of Cambridge   

17.30 – 18.15  

48th Millin Lecture Professor Jarlath Bolger  
Consultant Upper GI Surgeon and Associate Professor of Surgery,  
Beaumont Hospital and RCSI  

WHO: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland  

WHAT: RCSI Millin Meeting 2025 

WHERE: RCSI, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 

WHEN: Friday, 14 November 2025. Full programme with times is here. 

For further information: 

Paula Curtin, Head of Communications, RCSI 

087 410 9910/ pcurtin@rcsi.ie