Reciprocal recognition of Irish GP training in Australia withdrawn

The arrangement came to an end a year ago, when the Australian authorities withdrew recognition of specialist training by all professional bodies in Northern Europe, including Ireland.

The withdrawal means all Irish medical colleges have to re-apply to obtain recognition for specialist training, a decision that means less pay for some Irish doctors working in Australia.

ICGP CEO Mr Fintan Foy said that Irish general practice training enjoyed reciprocal recognition with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners for many years. 

“This arrangement came to an end a year ago, as the Australian authorities withdrew recognition for specialist training by all professional bodies in Northern Europe, including Ireland,” said Mr Foy.

He said the ICGP was aware that some professional bodies in Ireland, such as the College of Anaesthesiologists and College of Psychiatrists, have had their recognition reinstated.

“These Colleges operate a competency-based system of medical education. The ICGP is planning to move to a competency-based education system in GP training and we are confident that success in this will lead to reinstatement of recognition of Irish GP training in Australia. The ICGP looks forward to working with the GP training community in Ireland to achieve rapid progress in this area.”

Meanwhile, the ICGP’s pre-Budget submission has urged the Government to engage with emigrated and emigrating GPs and evaluate their reasons for leaving.

“Many younger GPs emigrate to work in healthcare systems where there are comprehensive chronic disease management programmes and no delays in accessing diagnostics,” it says.

In 2015, the ICGP published a report highlighting that only one-third of GP trainees were confident enough in their futures in the Irish health system to consider staying.

Viability of general practice in Ireland (20 per cent) and financial prospects (36 per cent) are the two main reasons cited for leaving.