POCUS Workshops take place in Limerick and Kilkenny

RCPI hosted the final Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) workshops in March 2026 to 20 RCPI trainers participating in the programme across Limerick and Kilkenny sites. The sessions covered four key procedural skills: Peripheral IV Cannulation, Thoracocentesis, Abdominocentesis and Lumbar Puncture.

Training was guided by Programme Lead Dr Paul O' Hara, international expert Prof Stefan Tchernodrinski and clinical site liaisons Dr Cyed Sabu and Dr Paul Cotter.  

Commencing in November 2025 with support from the National Simulation Office, HSE, this blended programme combines online learning material, in-person workshops, bespoke one-to-one training with international experts, and faculty-guided independent skills development. The programme supports our trainers to confidently deliver high-quality POCUS teaching to incoming trainees.   

POCUS is an exciting and innovative technology that can enhance decision-making, accelerate patient care, and improve patient safety. It allows clinicians to actively see and interpret ultrasound in real time to guide decisions at the patient’s bedside.  

Consultant Nephrologist at Portiuncula Hospital, Dr Paul O’Hara’s vision for POCUS training saw the first pilot in Ireland take place in 2024. Dr O’Hara continues to emphasise the power of POCUS in bringing diagnostic skills back to the bedside and improving patient care. The world-class training involves direct supervision to introduce POCUS techniques and optimal images. Followed by remote supervised independent scanning with image acquisition, online review and feedback with a final face-to-face assessment and certification.   

The growth of ultrasound technology in healthcare will likely lead to an increase in demand for healthcare practitioners to be competent in its usage. Equipping the next generation of physicians with the knowledge to utilise this emerging technology is vital. This programme is a unique opportunity for progressive physicians to receive world-leading training to implement POCUS in their clinical practice.