Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, visited RCSI this week for the launch of the “Promoting Gender Equality in Surgery” report. RCSI is implementing a series of measures to encourage more women to become surgeons following the launch of a report by Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD and RCSI President, Professor John Hyland highlighting a series of barriers to female entry into and progression in surgical careers.
While more than 50% of medical graduates are female, just 34% of surgical trainees are women, while less than 7% of consultant surgeons are women. The report, by a working group established by RCSI, identifies the lack of access for women to high quality surgical fellowships, working conditions during pregnancy and supports available to those returning to work after absence as among the barrier to female progress in the profession.
Read the report here