Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
180. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will work with the relevant educational and professional bodies to advance a specific rural curriculum and pathway within undergraduate medical education and GP training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/24]
View answer181. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will work with the relevant educational and professional bodies to increase the exposure time spent by medical students in general practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8198/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
As the Deputy is aware the delivery of medical programmes is complex. The course content of medical programmes and curriculum followed is a matter for the individual medical schools and the regulator, the Medical Council. The Medical Council sets and monitors standards for undergraduate, and postgraduate medical programmes and the bodies that deliver them to ensure that curricula are in line with Medical Council rules, criteria, standards and guidelines.
It is understood that medical schools provide a range of clinical placements, including in general practice and primary care. The HSE intern year, post graduation, also includes General Practice experience, further details are available from the HSE website. It is important to note that General Practitioner is a specialty of medical training post graduation from medical school. In Ireland this is provided by the Irish College of General Practitioners (IGCP).
The Higher Education Authority recently conducted an Expressions of Interest process to identify opportunities in the higher education system to build capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary. A report on this exercise went to Government in June 2023. The report set out a number of options for developing substantial capacity in medicine provision and included a proposal for a “Rural and Remote” medical programme in University of Galway with prolonged immersion in rural and remote general practice and placements in integrated care hubs.?
At this point, the Government is considering how investment could be advanced in the context of the ongoing National Development Plan review.
I will continue to work with my colleague the Minister for Health to ensure an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified graduates in these key skill areas
