RCSI launches landmark report on supporting surgeons at the 2025 Millin Meeting
Thursday, 13 November 2025: The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) will launch a significant new report, Supporting Surgeons in Ireland, at this year’s Millin Meeting which takes place tomorrow. The report examines the College’s existing support structures and sets out key recommendations designed to strengthen and future-proof these supports, ensuring that surgeons and trainees can continue to thrive throughout their training, professional development, and clinical practice.
Commissioned by the President of RCSI Professor Deborah McNamara and led by a Short Life Working Group under Professor Kilian Walsh, the publication is the culmination of extensive engagement with stakeholders throughout the surgical community and reflects RCSI’s commitment to fostering excellence, wellbeing, and leadership among its Fellows, Members and trainees.
Key among the report’s recommendations is the importance of having a structured accessible and sustainable mentorship framework in place as well as appropriate leadership training at key stages of the training pathway. The report highlights the importance of enhancing communication strategies to ensure that trainees and trainers alike understand the breadth of the supports available and know how to access them when required.
A further recommendation is to maintain and evolve the delivery of high-quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities that enable non-consultant hospital doctors to achieve competence in key procedures and examinations, and support practicing surgeons in maintaining and enhancing their skills.
Professor Deborah McNamara, President of RCSI, said: “This report reflects the voices of surgeons and aspiring surgeons across Ireland and outlines a clear roadmap for sustaining excellence in patient care and surgical education. Building on the College’s long-standing commitment to the professional development and wellbeing of surgeons, the report identifies the areas where support can be improved or better promoted so that we can make the mechanisms and workings of the College even more relevant and worthwhile for the entire surgical community.”
Shaping future surgical research and training
The Millin Meeting, named in honour of former President of RCSI Terence Millin, is one of the most significant events in the Irish surgical calendar, bringing together surgeons from all specialties to share expertise and innovation. The 2025 meeting features a programme of national and international speakers, under the theme Shaping Future Surgical Research and Training.
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 and member of RCSI’s Early Career Surgeons Network. Professor Bolger’s lecture 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.
In her keynote address, 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.
In the final keynote of the day, 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.
Reflecting on the significance of this year’s meeting, RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara said: “The Millin Meeting is a celebration of surgical scholarship, leadership and collaboration. It provides a unique opportunity for our community to reflect on how research, training and clinical excellence intersect in shaping the future of surgical care. This year’s programme not only highlights the achievements of Irish surgeons but also demonstrates our collective commitment to advancing patient outcomes through innovation and shared expertise.”
ENDS
The full report can be downloaded here.