RCSI today announced the programme for its RCSI Open Lecture Series for 2014/2015. The series of health lectures is open free of charge to the public and will be held on the last Wednesday of every month from October 2014 to March 2015 (excluding December 2014).

The first lectures in the series on 29 October will explore the important topic of mental health. Ms Helen Coughlan from the RCSI Department of Psychiatry will give a guide to nurturing mental health and also discuss how to recognise and respond to signs of mental health problems. The second topic of the evening will deal with leg ulcers and will discuss the cause, the care and prevention.

In November, leading breast cancer specialist Professor Arnold Hill will give a talk on breast cancer and give an update on the latest research and what is now known of this disease. The second lecture of the night on screening in pregnancy will be given Professor Fergal Malone, a leading obstetrics and gynaecology consultant.

In 2015, lectures will include a feature evening dedicated to exploring the history of anti-anxiety medicines from the phenomenon of ‘Mothers Little Helper’ in the 1960s to the Irish context today. This event will also feature a panel discussion on anti-anxiety medication use in Ireland. Additional topics to be explored include concussion, expedition medicine and antibiotic resistance.

Dr Maria Morgan, Director of the RCSI MiniMed Series, said: “This year’s RCSI MiniMed lecture series explores health related topics that are very relevant in Irish society today. I would encourage anybody who is interested in learning more about topical health issues to register to attend the RCSI MiniMed Lecture Series. In an age of increased patient participation and greater health awareness, these free public talks affords people the opportunity to learn more about health related issues from leading experts. Another unique feature of these talks is that they are easy to understand and are presented to attendees in layman’s terms.”

The RCSI MiniMed Open Lecture Series is free of charge to the public; however registration is essential in order to guarantee a place. Previous lecture series have attracted widespread public interest with demand for places far outstripping availability.