Ireland’s revamped Professional Competence Scheme for Doctors starts 1st May 2025

Every Ireland-registered Doctor has to comply with the Professional Competence Scheme requirements annually. Following the end of the current annual cycle on 30 April, a revamped Scheme is kicking off on May 1st.

UKmed’s StayOK for Doctors in Ireland service is designed to take the full compliance burden off a Doctor’s shoulders.

What is a Professional Competence Scheme, and who is required to take part?

Professional Competence Schemes are intended to enforce minimum acceptable standards of Continuing Medical Education and Practice Review activity across all medical specialties and Doctors registered in the Republic of Ireland. Participation is obligatory for every Doctor, unless they are not practising in Ireland.

What are the risks for a Doctor who doesn’t enrol on a PCS?

The Medical Council of Ireland will contact every non-compliant Doctor and, if they don’t have a good reason for not complying with the law, it will take away their registration. This means that non-compliant Doctors will be barred from practising in Ireland.

PCS changes from 1st May 2025 onwards

Here are some of the changes:

• A clear status of Engaged / Not engaged in the Practice of Medicine is being introduced.
• The minimum number of CPD hours will be going back to fifty (50) per year.
• The classification of CPD activities has been streamlined.
• ‘Audit’ gives way to Practice Review, an umbrella term that appears to represent a broader concept of  evaluation and improvement activities.
• Having an up-to-date Professional Development Plan becomes mandatory.

Can a Doctor manage their own Professional Competence Scheme?

No.

All of Ireland’s PCS (Professional Competence Schemes) are managed by the country’s major scientific institutions, such as

• the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland)
• the Irish College of GP’s
• and the Institute of Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

Each such institution runs a digital platform and procedural support for one or more medical specialties. For example, the RCSI is the go-to PCS for all surgical specialties.

Please note, there is a fee to pay which currently is around EUR 250 per year.

How does UKmed support Doctors in Ireland?

Our all-inclusive StayOK for Doctors in Ireland service lasts 365 days and includes:

• a PDP tailored to each Doctor’s needs and aspirations
• practical advice on designing, planning and delivering appropriate Practice Review activities in good time
• curating a Doctor’s CPD portfolio for them, which includes collecting, organising, translating and uploading the evidence
• eliminating the risk of non-compliances, including the risk of insufficient professional indemnity / liability insurance cover for the Doctor’s activities
• and more!

What to do if you are non-compliant for 2024-25

Time is literally running out for the current cycle, as it’s due to end on 30 April!

However, leaving your career to chance is not a good idea.

Your first step should be to contact UKmed for personalised advice. We can assess the situation quickly and attempt to find a risk minimisation strategy for you.