More than 160 surgeons attended the annual RCSI Millin meeting today. The meeting focused on the impact of healthcare reforms on surgical practice in Ireland, in particular the National Cancer Control Programme and hospital networks.

In the afternoon, four Irish trained surgeons presented in a session entitled ‘Home Thoughts from Abroad'. The session looked at the the factors one must consider when deciding whether to work abroad or stay in Ireland and whether to stay abroad or to return to Ireland. During this session, presentations were given by speakers that are currently working outside of Ireland, those that have returned to Ireland and those that are about to embark on a career abroad.

Keynote lectures on the day included ‘Reflections on Changes in Healthcare Delivery in the Past 20 Years' given by Professor Aidan Halligan, who has lived and worked in England for the past 15 years. Professor Halligan discussed the impact of similar changes that have occurred in the NHS.

Professor Monica Morrow gave a guest lecture entitled ‘Does Shared Decision Making Optimise Surgical Treatment' and she was conferred with an Honorary Fellowship.

The day-long event culminated in the 35th Millin Lecture delivered by Professor J. Calvin Coffey, Consultant Surgeon, University Hospital Limerick. The lecture is entitled ‘Surgical Anatomy and Anatomic Surgery'.

Professor Paddy Broe, President, RCSI, said: "The National Cancer Control Programme and the development of hospital networks are topics that are very current in our health system today. The College welcomes the development of hospital networks and sees these networks as being essential to the successful roll out of the Acute Surgery Programme as well as the National Clinical Programmes. It is therefore essential that the proposals on hospital networks being developed by Professor Higgins take full account of the recommendations of the National Clinical Programmes, the National Cancer Control Programme and critically, the access needs of local patient populations."

Prof Broe continued: "Addressing these issues at the Millin Meeting provides surgeons with the opportunity to hear first-hand from their colleagues the impact of these changes in various different hospital settings. Additionally, the session focusing on 'Home Thoughts from Abroad', provides a great opportunity for those who are seeking employment abroad and for those that are thinking of coming back to Ireland. During the Fellowship feedback session, we intend to focus on three important surgical developments that are taking place within RCSI - the National Office of Clinical Audit, the Acute Surgery Programme and the steps being taken towards the development of a new model of surgical training. It is a pleasure to welcome our delegates to the 2012 RCSI Millin meeting."