RCSI is hosting the first National Surgical Skills Competition grand final today in the National Surgical Training Centre to give aspiring surgeons from Irish medical schools the opportunity to develop and showcase their surgical skills.

The competition will involve the students competing in a range of surgical challenges, from suturing and knot-tying to undertaking key-hole surgery skills tests.

Regional heats have been taking place over the past three months across the six medical schools in Ireland - RCSI, University of Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin and NUI Galway and 12 students have been chosen to go through to the final today.

Explaining the competition, Mr Eunan Friel, Managing Director, Department of Surgical Affairs, RCSI said: “As RCSI is the body responsible for setting the standards for surgical practice, training and examinations in Ireland, we strive to achieve the best outcomes for patients. The medical students who are competing here today are our future surgeons and we are delighted to give them the opportunity to experience relevant skills-based challenges at this early point in their careers.

“The RCSI National Surgical Skills Competition is a great opportunity for medical students to showcase their surgical skills and gain valuable surgical experience. The competition provides valuable practical experience to support the early skill development of the aspiring surgeons of tomorrow. The competition has been a great success and it is something we will definitely include on the annual surgical calendar.”