Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) was established in 1991, with the appointment of Professor Tim O’Brien as the first Abraham Colles Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. The Department established a Higher Surgical Training Programme in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery and with the Irish Institute for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, monitor trainees and liaise with the mandated training bodies.

The Irish Institute for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, which is a sub-committee of the Higher Surgical Training Committee of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, retains oversight of Higher Specialist Training in Orthopaedics for Ireland, and has it’s offices at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, 2.

In 2005, Professor John O’Byrne was appointed as Abraham Colles Professor of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. Amongst his roles he assumed the responsibility of introducing a comprehensive musculo-skeletal module to the RCSI’s undergraduate teaching programme. This programme was designed and is a core part of the Intermediate Undergraduate Cycle and commenced in February 2006. The Musculo-Skeletal Programme examination results form part of the overall Surgical OSCE result.

Professor O’Byrne has established the "Abraham Colles Medal in Orthopaedics" which is presented following a clinical examination contested by the top three students in each Intermediate Cycle. The winner has his/her name added to a Prize Board specially designed, and available to view in College halls for posterity.

Through the Professorial Unit, significant research links and collaborative projects have been undertaken and are ongoing between Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital and University College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin. It is planned to increase these links over the next five years to highlight the role and profile of Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital.

Further information on Higher Surgical Training in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery is available from the Irish Institute for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery website at www.Inst-Ortho.ie