The annual RCSI Charter Day meetings took place on Friday, 18 and Saturday 19 February 2011. Over 50 leading national and international surgeons gave lectures on a wide range of surgical topics. More ...

On Friday, five parallel specialist sessions in vascular, general, oncology, cardiothoracic and aesthetic surgery took place. Each of these sessions focused on new developments and challenges facing each of the specialties.

Edward Kiely, internationally renowned Irish Paediatric Surgeon from Cork who led the successful separation surgery procedure of the Benhaffaf twins, Hassan and Hussein from Cork in Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London gave the 86th Colles lecture. His talk focused on the ‘Surgery of Conjoint Twins'.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director of the National Health Service in the UK will deliver the J&J Lecture. His talk ‘Clash of Expectations' focused on resource allocation in the health service within the current economic climate.

The Charter Day meetings culminated on Saturday evening when the College awarded its highest distinction - Honorary Fellowship of RCSI to Edward Kiely and Professor Sir Bruce Keogh.

Professor Eilis McGovern, President of RCSI, said: "The annual Charter Day meetings commemorate RCSI's establishment by Royal Charter on 11 February 1784. The meetings provide the surgical community with an opportunity to come together and discuss the challenges, issues and new developments within surgery. We hope the programme provided a stimulating and informative three days."