The Medical Council is “concerned” about the nature of the serious complaints it is receiving. The issue was raised during a high-level governance meeting with the Department of Health in late 2025.
A small proportion of registered doctors are the subject of complaints to the Medical Council. However, the number of complaints proceeding to fitness to practise (FTP) hearings has been increasing.
“Similar to other regulators, the Council is concerned about the nature of the serious complaints received, including the impact on students and other healthcare staff,” stated minutes of the governance meeting.
The minutes added: “The Council is bringing together available data and information and liaising with other regulators to gain better insight.”
It planned to take this work forward through involvement in induction programmes and by engaging with clinical directors and human resources officers at regional level.
A Department spokesperson told the Medical Independent: “As reported by the Council in recent years, there has been a general increase in both the number and complexity of complaints considered by the Council’s preliminary proceedings committee and those referred to the fitness to practise committee. Section 60 cases, under which the Council may apply to the Court for an order to suspend the registration of a registered medical practitioner where necessary to protect the public, have also risen.”
“Likewise, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland has noted an increasing trend in section 58 cases, ie, applications to the High Court for suspension from the register in the public interest, over the past number of years. However, a rise in complaints may also reflect improved awareness and reporting, which is to be welcomed.”
The Department spokesperson added: “Working with the Minister, the Medical Council continues to prioritise its remit in public protection and is exploring ways to take a more proactive approach in this area. Some examples of ongoing work include connecting with existing patient safety infrastructure, raising awareness of its role, and supporting learning across the system through insights gained from accreditation activities and professional standards processes.”
One of the objectives in the Council’s business plan for 2026 includes analysing complaints data and FTP trends to identify key patterns and preventive actions, and proactively communicating insights across the system.
In 2025, the Council’s preliminary proceedings committee (PPC) formed 387 opinions on complaints. Some 86 cases were referred to the FTP committee.
In 2024, the PPC formed 404 opinions and 64 cases were referred to the FTP committee.
According to the Council, it is involved in several collaborative initiatives related to the area of complaints.
This includes, but is not limited to, engagement with the HSE on “strengthening supports for doctors” who are new to the Irish health system. The Council noted that international doctors play “a vital role in ensuring a working health service”.
According to Council statistics for 2024, the highest proportion of doctors referred to the FTP committee were graduates of Irish medical schools (40.7 per cent). Some 25.4 per cent were graduates of UK/EU medical schools, and 33.9 per cent graduated outside the EU.
In 2024, there were almost 21,000 clinically active doctors in Ireland. Some 58.3 per cent qualified in Ireland; 27.8 per cent qualified outside Ireland, the EU, and the UK; and 13.8 per cent in the UK or EU (including Irish doctors).
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