The Department of Surgical Affairs (DoSA)

RCSI 2013-2014 Fellows and Members Programme
 

The RCSI 2013-2014 Fellows and Members Programme opened on 1st May. This will be of particular interest to current Fellows and Members of the College working in Ireland and overseas, and also to candidates who are considering taking RCSI postgraduate surgical examinations. For further information about benefits, services, a calendars of events, and the discount scheme attaching to this programme, or to pay your Fellowship or Membership subscription / PCS fee, please click here.

The Department of Surgical Affairs at RCSI - An Introduction

The vision of RCSI's Department of Surgical Affairs (DoSA) is to serve the College's surgical practitioners and trainees, and the public to whom they administer care. This is captured in the DOSA Mission Statement:
 

"We will support the RCSI Noble Purpose by delivering excellence in Surgical
Education and Training and by setting and supporting the highest standards of
Surgical Practice. We will, at all times, act in the interests of patients and the
quality of their care."
 

Our goals are to ensure continued excellence in surgical education and training and to sustain RCSI's contribution to safer and more effective surgical practice. These goals are achieved through:
 
Postgraduate Surgical Training & Education
RCSI has earned a reputation for excellence throughout the world in the education and training of high-calibre surgeons. Its postgraduate Basic and Higher Surgical Training Programmes are delivered via taught skills-based training and tutorials, traditional ‘hands on' clinical rotations in the training hospital setting, as well as through extensive use of online learning methods and advanced surgical simulation technologies.
 
Support of Surgical Practice
A central focus for RCSI is to take a more active leadership role to support the practice of surgery in Ireland. Key elements include:-
 
• The provision of lifelong learning programmes, Professional Development Programmes and the Professional Competence Scheme
 
• The establishment of a National Office for Clinical Audit
 
• The creation of key initiatives to engage with Fellows and Members
 
• The development of policies and standards in support of surgical best practice
 
Leadership in Health Policy
RCSI works closely with key health-care stakeholders across the spectrum of policy making, regulation and services to help shape and influence the delivery of surgical practice in Ireland. DoSA collaborates with the Health Service Executive's (HSE) Clinical Strategy Programmes Directorate and Quality and Patient Safety Directorate to provide clinical leadership for both elective and acute surgery programmes. These change initiatives are critical to improving access, efficiency and quality of surgery within the HSE.
  
Surgical Research
Surgical research is at the centre of our activities as it is the foundation of surgical education and practice. DoSA has successfully secured significant funding from industry, domestic and international health research institutions and other bodies to enable it to develop its research programme. RCSI's taught modular programme continues to grow and has facilitated collaboration between many of the College's faculties, departments and other third-party institutions.