Medical Council considers prescribing assessment

The HSE National Medication Safety Programme has asked the Medical Council to consider requiring medical students and/or interns to pass the prescribing safety assessment (PSA), the Medical Independent (MI) has learned.

The PSA was established by the British Pharmacological Society and the UK Medical Schools Council to improve prescribing quality and enhance patient safety. In the UK, all foundation year 1 (FY1) doctors must pass the PSA to progress to FY2.

The HSE informed MI the PSA is a validated assessment that establishes the competence of prescribers.

The PSA and associated teaching and resources are available within the six Irish medical schools. In most programmes, the PSA does not contribute towards final grade. “The undergraduate curriculum would provide the best preparedness for practice, however, offering it during the intern year initially may bridge a gap while all colleges can integrate it into the curriculum. Providing an opportunity for completion of the assessment to doctors wishing to enter the Irish health system would also be necessary if full coverage of prescribers is to be achieved,” said a HSE spokesperson. The spokesperson added that the HSE welcomed the Council’s consideration of the proposal. “If there is success in making it available, the HSE could consider making it a requirement for recruitment, or for completion within a period following commencement of the post.