The people and innovations revolutionising the practice of surgery are the focus of the 2025 Charter Week meeting at RCSI, which begins today.

With the theme 'Next Generation Surgery', the 2025 Charter Meeting invites delegates to explore the future of robotic surgery, engage with cutting-edge technology in RCSI’s first-ever Robotic Learning Village and hear from top experts on the evolving landscape of surgical practice.

Throughout the week, the meeting highlights the achievements of early-career surgeons and explores the growing impact of transparency, societal expectations and changing healthcare governance on professional practice in surgery.

On Friday, Professor Fergal J. O’Brien, RCSI Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, will deliver the 100th Colles Lecture entitled 'From Colles’ Fracture to Gene-Activated Biomaterials: A Journey Through Tissue Engineering at RCSI'. Professor O’Brien and his team are at the forefront of designing implants and biomaterials that will shape the next generation of surgical practice.

RCSI Charter Week takes place at the College’s St Stephen’s Green campus in Dublin, commemorating the anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter to RCSI in 1784.

RCSI President, Professor Deborah McNamara, welcomed delegates as the meeting began: “Our focus this year is on the future of surgical practice. We are exploring the technological advances in surgery and the evolving expectations of patients and healthcare systems.

“I’m particularly excited to hear from early-career surgeons who represent the next generation of surgical leaders,” added Professor McNamara.

Symposia and sessions

The meeting opens today with the National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA) conference, themed 'Data-Driven Healthcare: Planning, Delivering, Improving'.

Wednesday will see the National Clinical Programmes in Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, and Emergency Medicine host their annual quality improvement and innovations conference.

On Thursday, the annual Johnson & Johnson Lecture will be delivered by Dr Carla Pugh, Professor of Surgery at Stanford University, on 'Precision Learning & Data Sharing Through Wearable Technology. What’s AI Got to Do With It?' The day will conclude with the 35th Annual Videosurgery Meeting.

On Friday, the keynote session will focus on 'Trust and Truth in Healthcare'. Professor Deirdre Madden, Professor of Law at University College Cork, will deliver the 32nd Carmichael Lecture. The 100th Colles Lecture by Professor Fergal J. O’Brien also takes place on Friday, following a symposium on 'Pioneering the Future of Surgery: Medical Technology Innovation'.

Parallel sessions on Thursday and Friday will span various surgical specialties, including general surgery in childhood, trauma and orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmic surgery and more.

On Saturday, the Irish Surgical Training Group (ISTG) meeting wraps up Charter Week, followed by the Bosco O’Mahony Lecture delivered by Ms Dilly Little, entitled 'Grasp the Nettle'. The day concludes with the first-ever RCSI Family Fun Day, offering a range of activities for over 40 surgical families, including face painting, a giant game of operation and tours of the RCSI SIM Centre.

For more information and to view the full programme, visit: RCSI Charter Meeting 2025