Medical Council launches new statement of strategy

The Medical Council has today published its Statement of Strategy for 2019 to 2023.

Since its appointment in June of 2018, the current Council has prioritised the development of the new Statement of Strategy, building on the previous strategy and following engagement with members, a range of relevant stakeholders, and a review of international best practice.

The six key objectives of the strategy are ensuring medical regulation protects the public and supports registered medical practitioners; ensuring consistency in application of quality assured standards across the continuum of education, training and lifelong learning; learning more from experience to enhance the delivery of an efficient and proportionate model of regulation; improving the understanding of the role of the Medical Council; reviewing and recommending changes to legislation regulating the medical profession; and developing the Medical Council as an engaged, effective and empowered organisation

“The strategy we are launching today is realistic, innovative and ambitious and positions the Medical Council to fulfil its remit as the organisation responsible for the regulation of registered medical professionals in Ireland,” said Dr Rita Doyle, President of the Medical Council. “Guarding patient safety and supporting the medical profession in a transparent, respectful and fair manner are cornerstones of the strategy.”

“It is important in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment that the strategy is robust, so the Council will monitor the sector to ensure that the strategy will remain relevant throughout the coming five years.

“As part of the development of a new strategy, we examined our vision, mission and values so that the new strategy is reflective of those fundamental elements of our corporate positioning. The Statement of Strategy has been very carefully developed to reflect our positioning and to ensure that the patient is at the core of everything we do; and that at the same time medical practitioners get the supports they need in a changing healthcare environment,” concluded Dr Doyle.

Mr Bill Prasifka, CEO of the Medical Council, said the new strategy will also place a renewed focus on the Council’s contribution to national policy “through the dissemination of our data and sharing of our expertise with proactive engagement with our stakeholders”.

“Central to the development of this strategy, the Medical Council has articulated that it will, through the application of right touch regulation, influence changes within the health system required to support the provision of safe, quality healthcare.

“The Medical Council will contribute to Sláintecare, the 10-year vision for the Irish national healthcare system, and other leading national policy by engaging in discussion and debate with key stakeholders. Nationally identified health policy considerations will be incorporated into relevant Council annual business plans as they arise. We look forward to working with all registered medical practitioners and our stakeholders in the delivery of the Medical Council’s strategy for the next five years,” commented Mr Prasifka.