RCSI has today launched Ireland’s first national programme for robotic surgical training. The new National Robotic Surgery Curriculum marks a significant advance in robotic surgery education in Ireland, supporting consistent standards of practice nationwide by ensuring that trainees develop a shared foundation in robotic safety, technical competence and non-technical skills.

Formally launched at the Robotic and Technology Learning Village, which is part of RCSI’s annual Charter Week meeting, the curriculum is supported by a €2.3 million institutional investment from RCSI in robotic surgical education.

This includes the purchase of three robotic platforms and the opening of a new robotic education space at the National Surgical and Clinical Skills Centre on RCSI’s St Stephen’s Green campus.

Deliberately vendor-agnostic, the curriculum focuses on transferable skills that allow surgeons to adapt as robotic technologies continue to evolve. This approach reflects the rapid growth of robotic surgery across multiple specialties and the increasing number of platforms entering clinical practice and ensures that trainees are prepared not only for current systems but for future innovations.

Delivered through a staged and progressive programme, trainees are introduced to the principles of robotic surgery, including system setup, ergonomics, and safe workflow. They then develop core console skills such as camera control, instrument handling, dissection and suturing through advanced simulation and model-based training.

Equal emphasis is placed on the human factors that are critical in robotic operating theatres, including communication, teamwork, situational awareness, and emergency management. This recognises the unique challenges posed by the physical separation between the surgeon and the patient.

The curriculum, supported by RCSI’s investment in hands-on training, is a key enabler of the National Governance Framework for Robotic Surgery published by RCSI in 2025 to provide national standards for safety, oversight and quality in robotic surgical practice.

Professor Deborah McNamara, President of RCSI, said: “Robotic surgery is rapidly becoming a core component of modern surgical practice. With the launch of this national curriculum, RCSI is ensuring that innovation is supported by education, safety, and consistency. This programme reflects our commitment to preparing surgeons for the future of patient care and maintaining the highest standards of surgical training.”

Professor Barry McGuire, Professor of Postgraduate Surgical Education and Academic Development at RCSI, said: “This curriculum is about more than learning how to use a robot. It is about developing safe, adaptable surgeons who understand both the technical and human factors that define modern robotic surgery.

“Looking ahead, RCSI aims to develop a nationally distributed learning model, with education delivered centrally from RCSI and accessed remotely through consoles located across the country. This approach will allow trainees to learn, practise and be supervised without geographical barriers, supporting equitable access to high-quality training nationwide.”