Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
194. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that graduates of the military medicine training scheme are sufficiently enabled to register as a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26631/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Medical Council is responsible for quality assuring medical education and training in Ireland. This includes the approval of specialist training programmes and the medical schools and postgraduate training bodies which deliver those programmes.
I understand that Military Medicine is a five year training cycle. The Medical Council has advised that all elements of general practice training are faithfully observed over the course of the training programme, not only in terms of the content, but also in the time allocated for delivery in the various educational settings. Trainees must also complete all elements of the ICGP assessment process. The Faculty of Military Medicine of Ireland has stated that general practice constitutes the single most significant element of military medical practice.
The Medical Council has advised that Military Medicine trainees follow the same core curriculum and complete the same basic training as GP trainees. Following examination of the curriculum and training pathway for Military Medicine during the accreditation process, the Council were satisfied that Military Medicine trainees are sufficiently enabled to register as a General Practitioner.
