Current Issue February 2012, Vol. 10, No. 1

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) is the professional body representing 18,000 surgeons in over 100 countries worldwide. For over 500 years the RCSEd has been dedicated to the maintenance and promotion of the highest standards of surgical practice. From trainees to senior consultants, the RCSEd promotes excellence at every level of the profession through education, training and rigorous examination. The RCSEd also works to protect standards in patient care by lobbying government in the interests of its 10,000 UK members and through liaison with external medical bodies.

The RCSEd was established in 1505 as the Incorporation of Barber-Surgeons and is among the world’s oldest surgical institutions. Today, the RCSEd is widely recognised as a global leader in surgical training and education.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving human health through education, research and service. Founded in 1784, originally to train surgeons, today it provides extensive education and training in the healthcare professions at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The RCSI operates the largest Medical School in Ireland, also providing undergraduate courses in pharmacy and physiotherapy. The College provides an extensive range of postgraduate training and education programmes in the medical sciences, surgery, medical and nursing specialties, international health, tropical medicine and leadership and healthcare management. The College has its headquarters in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland.