Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
448. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the adequacy of the hospital consultant training schemes; the body responsible for the design and operation of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32023/18]
View answerIn accordance with the requirements in the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (MPA) the Medical Council regulates the practice of medicine and protects the public by ensuring high standards of medical practice. I am satisfied that the Medical Council carries out its role effectively in this regard.
As part of this role, the Medical Council sets standards for undergraduate and postgraduate education and training and monitors compliance with those standards. Its remit includes responsibility for determining, with the consent of the Minister for Health, the medical specialties that it recognises under the MPA.
The Council works with my Department, the HSE and other relevant stakeholders with the aim of ensuring that the number and types of specialties recognised in Ireland address population health needs by identifying best practice recommendations for specialty recognition, incorporating best practice in the area, and reflecting the Medical Council's priorities in the areas of education, training and lifelong learning.
There are over forty programmes of specialist training in Ireland in which a medical practitioner may choose to specialise. These programmes are delivered by thirteen training bodies. They are: the College of Anaesthetists of Ireland, College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Paediatrics, Faculty of Pathology, Faculty of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Radiologists, Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Irish College of General Practitioners, Irish College of Ophthalmologists, Irish Committee for Higher Medical Training and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
All postgraduate training bodies must meet Medical Council postgraduate accreditation standards and criteria.
