Eighteen investigations into alleged unregistered medical practice

The Medical Council opened 18 investigations into alleged unregistered medical practice in 2025.

A spokesperson told the Medical Independent: “One file was reported to An Garda Síochána and the Minister for Health, another file was closed with no further action necessary and 16 files are ongoing.”

In 2024, some 23 files were opened of which five were reported to An Garda Síochána and the Minister for Health.

“One file related to an organisation and An Garda Síochána were informed of this concern in the context of a separate referral. Two files related to queries raised by An Garda Síochána and as such did not require investigation [by the Council]. Thirteen files were closed with no further action necessary and two files are ongoing.”

Unregistered medical practice posed an “unacceptable risk to patient safety”. Under section 37 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, it is an offence for anyone who is not a registered doctor to practise medicine or advertise their services.

The most common reason for reports to An Garda Síochána is that the individual is a qualified doctor in another country and has provided medical services/consultations to patients in Ireland without registering with the Medical Council. The Council added that a doctor registered in another EU Member State can provide services via telemedicine to Irish patients in Ireland.

When a concern is received in relation to unregistered practice, these are investigated in accordance with section 105 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.

“Where the CEO of the Medical Council has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has engaged in the practise of medicine while unregistered, or is claiming to be a doctor while unregistered, the matter is then reported to An Garda Síochána. We are not informed of the outcome of any investigations undertaken by An Garda Síochána.”

In June 2025, the Council published an Unregistered Practice Policy, which is available on its website. This policy outlines the steps the Council will take to “manage doctors practising unregistered and aims to mitigate these risks”.

“The policy aligns with the principles of right-touch regulation and prioritises patient safety.” The document should be read in conjunction with the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.