The Medical Council has launched a public consultation on proposed registration (amendment) rules which are required to support the commencement of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Acts 2020 and 2023, next year. 

These Acts introduce significant changes to the registration system and require the existing framework to be updated.

Executive Director for registration operations with the Medical Council, Ms Trudy Reid, said “With over 35,000 doctors on the Medical Councils’ register, this public consultation plays an important part in implementing recent legislative changes.”

“These changes which will enhance the way we register doctors, consolidate exiting rules and ultimately support us in contributing to patient safety and public protection.”

She added that this consultation provides an opportunity for doctors, members of the public, individuals and organisations to share their thoughts on these changes.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in this proposal to take part in consultation.”

The draft rules will be subject to a public consultation and a proportionality assessment before being considered by the Medical Council and progressing through the legislative process.

According to the Medical Council the proposed rules include five key changes:

1. Consolidation of existing Rules: Seven sets of registration rules will be combined into a single set of registration rules. Professional indemnity rules will remain unchanged.

2. Register of Interns: Interns will no longer be registered in the trainee specialist division, and a separate Register of Interns will now be established. 

3. Recognition of qualifications before registration: Applicants will need to have their medical degree formally recognised before applying for registration.

4. Register of Adapters: A new register of adapters will be established primarily for certain EU/EEA citizens undertaking compensatory measures, including adaptation periods.

5. English language requirements: All first-time applicants will be required to meet English language requirements.

The public consultation is open from 3rd September to 6th October.

There are increasing workload pressures on the “growing and diversifying” medical workforce, according to the newly published Medical Workforce Intelligence Report 2025.

The Medical Council’s report found that in 2025, there were 22,257 clinically active doctors practising medicine in Ireland. The proportion of clinically active female doctors rose to 47.6 per cent, representing a slight but steady increase in recent years.

The mean age of doctors was 43.6 years, with approximately one in five (20.1 per cent) aged 55 or older and approaching typical retirement age. The gender split was almost even across all age groups except the 55 or older cohort, where 66 per cent were male.

There were 5,017 doctors self-reporting as GPs, an increase of 5.3 per cent compared to the previous year. Some 78.9 per cent of GPs were on the specialist division, and 19.3 were per cent on the general division.

Some 22.1 per cent of doctors self-reported working more than 48 hours a week on average, a slight improvement on 2024.

In relation to services provided, the report found “persistent barriers to safe patient care”.

Only one-third of doctors (30.7 per cent) reported never experiencing difficulties providing patients with sufficient levels of care. More than one-quarter (27.6 per cent) experienced such difficulties at least once a week or more often.

In response to the report, the IHCA noted that one in 12 doctors (9 per cent) told the Council that they experience difficulties providing patients with sufficient care at least once a day.

“It is not surprising to learn that [so many] doctors report experiencing difficulties at least once a day providing a patient with the sufficient level of care needed. This is the lived experience of so many of my specialist colleagues,” said IHCA President Prof Gabrielle Colleran.

“While ‘pressure on workloads’ was the single most frequently quoted barrier, the fact that ‘time spent on bureaucracy/administration’ was a close second highlights yet again the need to accelerate the roll-out of electronic health records across the health system as a matter of urgency. The current fragmented nature of our digital technology in the health service continues to impact directly on patient care, and the roll-out of the national [electronic health record] cannot come soon enough.”

Prof Colleran said the IHCA is particularly concerned with the finding that 41 per cent of all doctors who report working more than 48 hours on average per week are spending more than 48 hours in direct patient care.

“This means these doctors are not only working excessive hours, but are doing so in intensely pressurised conditions, and are not being given adequate time by their employer to keep up with the necessary administrative tasks that are required to make the job both sustainable and safe for patients.”

Also commenting on the report, Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Medical Director, Medical Protection, said: “It is encouraging to see continued growth in Ireland’s medical workforce and increasing numbers of GPs. However, it is concerning that so many doctors continue to report barriers to providing patients with a sufficient level of care, with workload pressure, bureaucracy, and overcrowding continuing to have an impact on healthcare professionals.”

 “These findings highlight the need for continued action to reduce these barriers, improve workforce retention, and ensure doctors have the time and resources they need to deliver safe, high-quality care.”

Dr Bradshaw also pointed out the report highlights Ireland’s growing reliance on international medical graduates.

“As this trend continues, it is essential that international medical graduates receive comprehensive induction and ongoing professional support throughout their careers. Ensuring doctors are well supported to navigate a new healthcare system is not only important for their wellbeing and career development, but also for patient safety and the long-term sustainability of the workforce.”

The members of the Medical Council have elected Prof Deirdre J Murphy as incoming President. The election took place yesterday (29 July).

Prof Murphy has served as a member of the Medical Council since 1 June 2023.  She is Chair of Obstetrics and a Consultant Obstetrician at Trinity College Dublin and the Coombe Hospital, Dublin. She is a clinical academic with over 30 years’ experience in obstetrics and gynaecology. Prof Murphy has formal training in healthcare leadership and has been an expert medical witness and independent assessor for over 20 years.

Addressing members of Council at Kingram House in Dublin, she highlighted her vision for the future of the regulator:

“My priority as President will be to ensure rigour and excellence across all the Medical Council’s areas of responsibility, so that patient safety remains at the centre of our work and doctors, patients and the public can have full trust and confidence in us.

“I’m committed to supporting doctors at every stage of their career, because a regulator that understands the full professional life cycle of a doctor is one that can work towards preventing harm before it happens.”

She continued: “I want to promote strong governance, ensuring the Medical Council is both effective and financially sustainable for the future.

“I plan to strengthen relationships between Council members, the Council Executive and important stakeholders to ensure that we work together to promote safer better healthcare through our role as a regulator.

Prof Murphy also paid tribute to outgoing President, Dr Suzanne Crowe.

“I also want to pay tribute to Dr Suzanne Crowe, who has been President since 2021 and a Council member since 2018. Her contribution to right-touch regulation and her compassion and expertise have protected patients and supported doctors throughout her tenure. I want to thank her for her partnership and wish her well.”

Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council, said: “I warmly congratulate Prof Murphy on her election as President of the Medical Council, and I look forward to working closely with her in this role.

“Patient safety is, and will always be, the Medical Council’s first concern, and trust between doctor and patient is at the heart of everything we do as a regulator. I’m confident that under Prof Murphy’s leadership, the Council will continue to build that trust as we work to achieve our regulatory remit.”

The Medical Council has opened a recruitment campaign to seek expressions of interest from individuals who wish to be considered for appointment as performance assessment assessors.

It is seeking expressions of interest from:

• Medical practitioners from a broad range of specialties and general practice
• Non-medical, or patient representatives

 The deadline for expressions of interest via completed application forms is 5pm on 30 July 2026.

Performance assessment is a professional competence scheme for registered medical practitioners. Following the investigation of a complaint to the Medical Council, a complaint may be referred to performance assessment. To support the Council, the rules governing performance assessment allow for persons to be appointed to a case to participate in the assessment of doctors who have been referred to the scheme.

 Performance assessment involves:

• The assessment of a medical practitioner’s knowledge and skill, or
• The application of knowledge and skill (or both)
• Assessment activities such as reviewing records, observing practice, and interviewing a practitioner about their knowledge and skill
• Identifying areas of improvement to support good professional practice

Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO, Medical Council, said: “Patient safety depends on doctors practising to a consistently high standard. Performance assessment is one of the ways the Medical Council supports that.”

 “It is a developmental process, not a punitive one, and it depends on assessors who bring both clinical expertise and a patient or public perspective. Both sets of experience are of equal importance to performance assessment.

 “I would encourage anyone who meets the criteria, whether medical or non-medical, to consider putting themselves forward.”

 Interested parties can find more information on role requirements and specifications on the Medical Council website.

The Medical Council has today opened the annual retention process for all doctors currently on the medical register.

Doctors practising medicine in Ireland are legally required to hold registration with the Council. The deadline to complete the Annual Retention Application Form (ARAF) is 30 June 2026.

The steps for doctors to renew their registration are:

• Complete the Annual Retention Application Form through the Doctors Portal on the Medical Council website.
• Pay the annual registration fee.
• Provide evidence of professional indemnity, where required.
• Submit ARAF and fees before 30 June 2026.

Professional indemnity is a legal requirement for doctors working in private practice in Ireland. Doctors must ensure their indemnity cover is in place and that evidence of it is submitted as part of the ARAF process. Practising without appropriate indemnity “puts both doctors and patients at risk”, stated the Medical Council.

Doctors who do not complete the process by the deadline will have their names removed from the Medical Council register and cannot legally continue to practise medicine in Ireland.

Ms Una O’Rourke, the Council’s Interim Head of Registration, encouraged doctors to renew their registration as soon as possible: “The annual retention process is straightforward, and every doctor on our register has already received direct communication with everything they need to complete it. The sooner doctors renew, the less risk there is of any disruption to their ability to work, so we’re asking everyone to complete the process as soon as possible.

“Our registration team is on hand to help with any questions. Doctors can reach them at support@mcirl.ie or on 01 498 3100.”

Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO, Medical Council, said: “Completing the ARAF each year isn’t just meeting a legal requirement – it’s also how we build an accurate picture of Ireland’s medical workforce. The information doctors provide feeds directly into workforce planning and helps us, and our stakeholders across the health system, to identify where the pressures are and where they’re likely to emerge.

“This year, I especially want to emphasise the importance of professional indemnity. Every doctor practising in Ireland must have appropriate indemnity cover in place, and evidence of that must be submitted as part of this process. It is not optional, and it is not a formality – it is a necessary protection for patients and for doctors themselves.”

“Accurate data and proper indemnity cover depend on every doctor completing this process. With this in mind, we’re asking every doctor to take the time to complete annual retention before the 30th of June deadline,” Dr O’Kane concluded.

The commitment to a 180-day timeline for reimbursement decisions by the first quarter of 2029 will require more resources, the Clinical Director of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) has told this newspaper.

The commitment is part of the framework agreements for the supply and pricing of medicines the Government recently signed with Medicines for Ireland and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association.

The agreement promises a structured process towards achieving a 180-day timeline for reimbursement decisions by the first quarter of 2029.

According to the Government, this will accelerate patient access to new treatments.

“The real challenge will be about getting the assessments done, to get the price negotiations done in that narrow time frame,” Prof Michael Barry told the Medical Independent (MI) at the recent AXIS conference on access to medications at the RDS in Dublin.

“But look, we’re moving towards it [the 180-day target]. It’s planned to be introduced by quarter one in 2029. We will do everything we possibly can to make sure we reach that.”

He welcomed the fact that the HSE drugs group and the HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) have received increased resources in recent years.

But the new target would require further funding.

“It will require resourcing, not only for the NCPE, but also for the HSE [CPU] and indeed the [HSE] drugs group,” according to Prof Barry. “For all components of the reimbursement chain.”

Separately, MI asked the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill about the 180-day commitment and resources at the recent Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s Annual Delegate Conference in Dundalk, Co Louth.

The Minister pointed out the NCPE team has approximately doubled over the past two years.

“So already huge resources have gone into that,” the Minister told MI. “And we have to continue to work towards the 180 days.”

See news feature, Accessing medicine in a time of global uncertainty – Medical Independent

The Medical Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from relevant parties to serve on a number of committees.

The Medical Council has a statutory role in protecting the public by promoting the highest professional standards amongst doctors practising in Ireland. To support the Council in delivering its significant role and remit, the Council has a governance structure, supported by committees that focus on particular aspects of its work.

The six committees that the Medical Council is recruiting for are as follows:

• Audit and risk committee
• Education and training committee
• Fitness to practise committee
• Health committee
• Preliminary proceedings committee
• Registration and continuing practice committee

Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council, said: “The Medical Council’s committees are central to our work as a regulator – spanning fitness to practise, education, registration, audit and health. Serving on a Committee is a meaningful opportunity to contribute directly to the protection of patients and to the integrity of medical regulation in Ireland. We are looking for individuals who bring diverse perspectives, professional experience, and a genuine commitment to patient safety.

“Strong governance depends on the dedication of the people who give their time to it. I would encourage anyone who meets the criteria to consider putting themselves forward. This is an opportunity to help shape how medicine is regulated, and to ensure that the Council’s work continues to reflect the highest standards.”

Applications for each committee will close on 23 April 2026. Interested parties can find more information on role requirements and specifications on the Medical Council website.

The Medical Council is inviting interns and trainees to complete its new Training Survey, which officially opens today.

The survey is open to all interns and NCHDs on a formal Medical Council-approved training scheme – that is, doctors who are on the internship and trainee specialist divisions of the register.

The survey covers key aspects of intern and postgraduate medical education, including how clinical training sites support education and training, professional development, and wellbeing. The initiative is led by members of the Medical Council’s education and training team and supported by colleagues across Council, who have been redeveloping the survey over the past couple of years. It will be open for a period of four weeks (until Wednesday 6 May).

All responses are anonymous. No personal data is requested and reports produced by the Medical Council will present findings at group level only and will not identify individual respondents.

Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council, commented: “The survey tagline is ‘Your Training, Your Voice’ because we want to hear directly from interns and trainees about their experiences on the ground.

“This survey is your opportunity to shape how clinical training in Ireland develops, and strong participation makes that possible. I’d strongly encourage you all to complete it. In doing so, you will be contributing directly to future improvements in safer clinical environments for yourselves and for patients.

“Hearing from interns and trainees will also help the Medical Council to highlight areas of good practice in medical education and training; and share learnings among key stakeholders such as sites, intern training networks and postgraduate training bodies,” Dr O’Kane concluded.

Formerly known as Your Training Counts, the redeveloped training survey has undergone extensive review, including consultation with intern and trainee representatives.

The survey can be accessed here: https://medicalcouncil.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0fdoBA1rLvEhaVU

The Medical Council has today launched a public consultation on a new code of practice governing anatomical examinations in Ireland under the Human Tissue Act 2024.

The Human Tissue Act 2024 replaces the Anatomy Act 1832 and strengthens regulation across a number of areas, including anatomical examination.

Under Part 4 of the Act, the Medical Council has a central regulatory role in overseeing the lawful and ethical use of human bodies for anatomical examination.

The Medical Council licenses institutions to carry out anatomical examinations and ensures compliance with statutory requirements. These include the ethical and respectful handling of human remains, appropriate facilities, robust governance, and oversight by suitably qualified personnel.

The code of practice:

• supports institutions and practitioners in applying best practice aligned with current scientific, medical, educational and ethical standards in anatomical examination
• promotes transparency and public understanding of how anatomical examinations are conducted in Ireland, strengthening trust and accountability

This stakeholder consultation provides an opportunity for doctors, members of the public, individuals and organisations to submit comments and suggestions on the updated code of practice. Feedback via the online survey is welcomed until Friday 24 April 2026.

Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council, encourages stakeholders to participate in the survey: “As the primary regulatory authority in these areas, the Medical Council is responsible for upholding high ethical standards, maintaining public trust, and ensuring the respectful treatment of human remains in educational, scientific, and public settings.

“We hold regular public consultations so that the opinion and input of our stakeholders is considered in the work we are undertaking. I would invite anyone who has an interest in the remit of the Medical Council to take part.”

Mr Paul Byrne, Executive Director, Education, Innovation and AI at the Medical Council, added: “The Human Tissue Act 2024 replaces outdated legislation with a modern system built on consent and transparency. At its core is a simple principle, that people and their families can trust that human remains will be treated with dignity and respect.

“This code of practice makes that expectation real, setting clear standards for organisations and showing how those standards are put into practice every day.”

The Medical Council’s public consultation survey is available here: https://medicalcouncil.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3UXcCEuX6sULx6m

More information on the updated code of practice is available here: https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/public-information/public-consultations/part-4-hta-cop-final-2026.pdf

Three doctors have been elected in the Medical Council elections. In total, eight candidates contested three positions in three categories. 

Today the following have been deemed elected by the returning officer:

Specialist Division – Anaesthesia: Dr Ehtesham Izhar Khan.

Specialist Division – Public Health Medicine: Dr Mai Mannix.

Specialist Division – Pathology or Radiology: Prof John Conor O’Keane.

This election took place as the current term of office of one of the directly elected members of the Medical Council is due to expire at the end of May and there were two existing vacancies.

“My sincere congratulations to the three doctors elected to the Medical Council for the upcoming term,” said Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council.

“I know the newly elected members will have a great impact on strengthening patient safety and shaping the future of the Medical Council through their contributions. I look forward to working with all our members over the coming years.

“Council members hold responsibility for making decisions and upholding principles that protect patients and support the highest standards of medical practice. 

“We are very grateful to all those who put themselves forward for election, and I hope all our election candidates continue to engage with the Medical Council in the future. Our thanks also to the doctors on our register who cast their vote.”

Nominations have closed for doctors seeking election to the Medical Council for the next term, which will commence in June 2026.

The Council, which consists of 25 members, has a majority of non-medical members, with 13 non-medical members and 12 medical members.

Of these, six members are elected by their fellow registered medical practitioners, five are appointed by the Minister for Health, one being nominated by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the remaining 13 are appointed by nominating bodies.

The current term of office of one of the directly elected members of the Medical Council is due to expire on 31 May 2026. This position, along with two existing vacancies on the Medical Council, are subject to an election process in accordance with the Medical Council’s election regulations.

The three members to be appointed following this election process must fall under the following categories:

• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to anaesthesia
• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to public health medicine
• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to pathology or radiology

To be eligible for election a medical practitioner must be registered on the Specialist Division and practising medicine in the State (but excluding any visiting EEA practitioner) on the day preceding the last day for receiving nominations (13 January 2026) and must be in one in of three categories above.

Additionally, a registered medical practitioner must be nominated by 10 registered medical practitioners practising medicine in the State and meet the eligibility requirements set out in the election regulations

Following the close of the nominations period, the independent returning officer, Mr Fergus Gallagher, Dublin County Sheriff, has announced the candidates for election to the Medical Council.

“As the Returning Officer, I have reviewed the nominations received and have deemed the following candidates eligible for election in the following categories, in accordance with the Medical Practitioners Act 2007:

Specialist Division – Anaesthesia

Dr Brian Patrick Joseph O’Brien – Registration Number: 018422

Dr David Michael Honan – Registration Number: 013213

Dr Ehtesham Izhar Khan – Registration Number: 049848

Dr Georgina Flood – Registration Number: 321315

Dr Khalid Rasheed – Registration Number: 021642

Specialist Division – Public Health Medicine

Dr Mai Mannix, Registration Number: 011309

Dr Ina Mary Kelly, Registration Number: 011181

Mr Gallagher continued, “In the category of Specialist Division – Pathology or Radiology, one candidate has been nominated, Prof John Conor O’Keane, Registration Number: 008071, and as a result, this category will be filled in accordance with election regulations.”

All doctors who were on the Medical Council Register as at 12 noon on 23 January 2026 are eligible to vote. The voting opens today, 6 February, and closes at noon on 26 February 2026. All doctors are encouraged to make sure they have their say in the formation of the next Medical Council by voting.

Formal results will be declared after the election voting period concludes. 

Speaking today, Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council, said: “The Medical Council plays a vital role in ensuring patient safety. Council members hold responsibility for making decisions and upholding principles that protect patients and support the highest standards of medical practice. This election provides a valuable opportunity for doctors to influence the future direction of the Medical Council by helping to select their representatives. I would urge all registered doctors to vote and have their say.

“We are fortunate to have a number of very strong candidates contesting the election, who have been nominated by their peers. This reflects the continued commitment within the profession to build on the progress achieved in recent years. I encourage all doctors to use their vote in the weeks ahead.”

To vote in the Medical Council Elections from 6 February 2026, all registered medical practitioners (as at 12 noon on 23 January 2026) will be entitled to vote electronically in the election. Further information is available on the Medical Council’s website.

A link will be sent by email to the email address recorded on their registration portal (by the cut-off date set out above).

The voting process is overseen by Mr Gallagher, the appointed independent returning officer. Results will be announced on 26 February 2026.

The newly appointed Council members will begin their term on 1 June 2026.

The Medical Council has today announced the procedures for the election of three of the six directly elected members.

The current term of office of one of the directly elected members of the Medical Council is due to expire on 31 May 2026. This position, along with two existing vacancies on the Medical Council, are to be filled by election.

The Medical Council has a statutory role in protecting the public by promoting the highest professional standards amongst doctors practising in Ireland. The Council is made up of 25 members, with a majority of 13 non-medical members and 12 medical members. Members are appointed through a mixture of elections, nominations by a number of bodies and through the public appointments system.

To be eligible for election, a person must be a registered medical practitioner practising medicine in the State (but excluding any visiting EEA practitioner) on the day preceding the last day for receiving nominations (13 January 2026) and fall into one of the three categories listed below.

An independent Returning Officer has been appointed and, in accordance with the provisions of section 17(1) and (8) of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, will conduct the election process.

The three members appointed following the election process must fall under the following categories:

• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to anaesthesia
• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to public health medicine
• One medical practitioner registered or able to be registered in the Specialist Division in relation to pathology or radiology

The Medical Council is encouraging all interested and eligible doctors to consider running for election.

The period for the receipt of nomination papers commenced at 9am on 15 December 2025 and runs until 1pm on 14 January 2026. The independent Returning Officer will formally receive all nomination papers (and will attend at the offices of the Medical Council) between the hours of 10am and 1pm on 14 January 2026.

If there is more than one nominated candidate in a category, an electronic poll shall be taken. The period during which votes may be received by the independent Returning Officer will commence at 12 noon on 6 February 2026 and close at 12 noon on 26 February 2026. All registered medical practitioners (as at 12 noon on 23 January 2026) will be entitled to vote electronically in the election via a link which will be communicated via email.

Following the close of nominations at 1pm on 14 January 2026, further information and updates regarding the election will be available on the Medical Council’s website and social media channels. Nomination papers and other information, including information on the roles and responsibilities of Council members, which is included in the Medical Council’s Corporate Governance Framework regarding the election, are available on the Medical Council website: www.medicalcouncil.ie/elections.

Any queries regarding the process for the nominations or elections process may be directed to election2026@mcirl.ie.