Q. What are the stages of certification for completing training in general practice?

A. The diagram contained in this article illustrates the progressive stages for certification for doctors completing training in general practice in Ireland. The ultimate certificate required to work within state schemes in Ireland (GMS) is a Certificate of Specific Training/ Acquired Rights in General Medical Practice, issued by the Medical Council, as Competent Authority, under EU Directive 16/93. This certificate is also required to work within state schemes in other EU countries.¹

* Registration on the Specialist Register - Division of General Practice is voluntary at present and the College recommends that all general practitioners are entered onto the Specialist Division of the Register. Application is made to the Medical Council.

¹ GPs intending to work in, for example, the UK should be aware that in order to take up employment they must provide evidence of completion of training. Certificates of satisfactory completion of training issued by Training Programmes do not confer eligibility for entry to state schemes, in Ireland or elsewhere in the EU.

Doctors in training in Ireland must achieve membership of the ICGP in order to be eligible for a Certificate of Specific Training/ Acquired Rights in General Medical Practice, EU Directive 16/93.