First training programme in Sports and Exercise Medicine

The Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (RCPI & RCSI) has launched Ireland’s first structured training programme for Sports and Exercise Medicine.

“The availability of quality sport medicine specialists will bolster the expertise and services available to our population and act to support the primary and secondary care services who are in the frontline battle against the epidemic of physical inactivity,” said the Programme Director Dr Éanna Falvey.

The new two-year structured post-CCST training programme is the first step in training Irish sports and exercise physicians at home in Ireland. The programme received formal accreditation from the Medical Council of Ireland in early 2017 and the training programme was signed off by the Minister for Health, Mr Simon Harris, in March 2017.

“The launch of the Higher Specialist Training Programme in Sport and Exercise Medicine (HST SEM) is an important milestone for both the Irish medical and sporting communities,” said Dr Falvey.

“The availability of quality sports medicine specialists will bolster the expertise and services available to our population and act to support the primary and secondary care services who are in the frontline battle against the epidemic of physical inactivity. 

“Through our training programme we aim to actively promote a healthy and active lifestyle through further education and bring forth the development of consultant posts within the field.”

Dr Stuart O’Flanagan and Dr Joe Jordan are the first two SpR trainees to be appointed to the HST SEM programme, and it is envisaged that the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine will recruit 2 new SpR trainees per year.