Pandemic poses risk to attracting students – RCSI register

The effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic were added to the RCSI risk register late last year, the Medical Independent (MI) has learned. These risks included the impact on “life within the RCSI community” and ability to attract students. The College’s risk register was discussed by the RCSI Council at meetings in November and December, according to minutes seen by MI following a Freedom of Information request.

A comprehensive annual review of the RCSI risk register was discussed at the November meeting of the Council.

“Given the current dominance of Covid, the risk register is more important than ever, and to this end, a further risk had been added which broadly covers the effects of the ongoing pandemic in terms of loss of life; quality-of-life within the RCSI community, an inability to attract students and support continued education and research activities,” according to the minutes.

The meeting also heard that, in the latest quarterly report, RCSI senior management “had made 10 changes to the risk scores”.

“Additionally, there continues to be progress made on actions to mitigate risks. In particular, an institution-wide programme, namely, ‘RCSI Adapt’, is in place to manage the risks that Covid-19 presents.”