The Irish Psychiatric Training Committee oversees postgraduate training in psychiatry and advises the Medical Council as to the suitability of trainees for the specialist register. It is working closely with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK and is fully appraised of relevant developments there.
A working group was set up some months ago, by the Committee, to review training in Ireland and the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board has provided funding to the Committee to engage a project director to review and implement new processes of training in the light of the changes in the UK.
I understand that the Medical Council will be discussing the issue further with the Irish Psychiatric Training Committee and that the Council's Registration Committee, at its next meeting, will consider any potential impact on applications for entry to the register of medical specialists.
The National Hospitals Office/Comhairle na nOspidéal has set down the qualifications, training and experience necessary to become a consultant psychiatrist in Ireland. The Irish Psychiatric Training Committee will continue to provide the training necessary to fulfil those requirements.
