1. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Ireland
Maintaining competence is a statutory requirement for all doctors, pharmacists, and nurses practising in Ireland:
- Doctors & GPs (IMC / ICGP): Doctors enrolled in a Professional Competence Scheme (PCS)—such as the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) PCS—record 50 CPD credits per year across internal, external, personal learning, and clinical audit categories, including at least one clinical audit annually.
- Pharmacists (PSI / IIOP): Registered pharmacists maintain an ePortfolio with the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP), completing reflective cycles and participating in ePortfolio review and practice review when selected.
2. IMC Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners
The Irish Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics sets the ethical and clinical standards expected of every doctor in Ireland. Key pillars for Primary Care and Locum doctors include:
- Patient Partnership & Informed Consent: Respecting patient dignity, autonomy, and clear communication.
- Continuity of Care & Clinical Handover: Crucial for locum GPs and Out-of-Hours clinicians—ensuring contemporaneous electronic notes (Socrates / HealthOne) and clear follow-up pathways for diagnostic results and urgent referrals.
- Safe Prescribing & Telemedicine: Adhering to strict clinical governance when prescribing controlled drugs, antibiotics, or delivering remote video consultations.