The military medicine specialist training scheme is due to re-open in 2026 with a recruitment drive commencing later this year, the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.
Since its launch in 2017, the scheme has faced serious challenges. In 2023, MI reported on significant delays in delivering end-point assessments for the military medicine components.
At the time, the Defence Forces stated the delays were due to “operational taskings and personnel resource availability”. The scheme was also subject to a review leading to a “framework agreement” between the Department of Defence, Defence Forces, the Irish College of GPs, and the HSE
The five-year training scheme facilitates dual qualification in military medicine and general practice. The programme was launched with the intention of recruiting two trainees per year and ensuring a consistent supply of specialist-trained medical officers. The terms of the scheme have included a three-year commitment to the Defence Forces following completion of training. However, only one doctor has completed the scheme and a number have left prior to completion.
A Defence Forces spokesperson told MI a recruitment drive for the scheme is set to be announced in the “third or fourth quarter of 2025”.
“This initiative aims to select two trainees for the military medicine training scheme, which is scheduled to commence in July 2026, consistent with previous intakes.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Defence told MI it was satisfied that the scheme and framework agreement were operating “as intended”. They also claimed that the Irish College of GPs informed the Department that “capacity issues prevented an intake in 2024”.
A spokesperson for the Irish College of GPs and Faculty of Military Medicine said they are “very committed to this programme and look forward to increasing the intake in 2026 and beyond, through extensive advertising”.
A spokesperson for the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers highlighted the poor retention of doctors who have entered the scheme.
There are ongoing recruitment and retention difficulties in respect of medical officers in the Defence Forces. A contributory factor is the salary scale, which is significantly lower than for civilian medical roles.
The Defence Forces has approval for 28 medical officers. Currently, 6.5 positions are vacant.
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