120 transition year students from the south-east took part in the Waterford RCSI Transition Year MiniMed training programme from 21-24 February 2012 in Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH) and Waterford Institute of Technology. The interactive programme gave students the opportunity to experience what it is like to train and work as a doctor.

As part of the programme, students witnessed a live operation, attended interactive lectures, gained hands-on training in clinical skills as well as practical experience in medicine and scientific tutorials. Topics covered included human anatomy, obstetrics, paediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, emergency medicine, cardiology and general practice.

Leading medical professionals from RCSI and Waterford Regional Hospital delivered the programme, including Professor Marie Cassidy, State Pathologist and Head of Forensic Medicine, RCSI who gave a lecture on Forensic Medicine.

Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI, said: "The RCSI TY MiniMed programme is a great opportunity for students to gain insight into the world of medicine, science and research.  This is the 3rd year of the MiniMed Transition Year programme in Waterford and we are delighted to continue to bring the programme to the south-east. The participation of leading medical professionals from Waterford Regional Hospital, the use of innovative technology and the practical sessions helps make the learning experience interesting for students as well as providing them with experience of what it is like to train as a medical professional."

Waterford Regional Hospital is a teaching hospital of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Since 1998, RCSI has been sending students in their final two years to the hospital to attend clinical rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology.