ICGP/RACGP Mutual Recognition
MICGP Graduates Eligible for Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Following ratification by the Council of the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Council of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners agreement has been reached whereby from the 3rd of February 2007, membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners and the fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners are recognised as equivalent.
This agreement is in accordance with the constitution of both Colleges and decisions of the ICGP Postgraduate Training Committee and the RACGP Board of Censors.
Through this reciprocal agreement, fellowship of the RACGP or membership of the ICGP may be awarded ad eundum gradum to Fellows of the RACGP or members of the ICGP as appropriate when:
- The fellow of RACGP or member of ICGP has a current letter of good standing from the College of their country of origin. This good standing will be confirmed by the RACGP Board of Censors or the Council of the Irish College of General Practitioners and include financial and professional good standing.
- The fellow of RACGP or member of ICGP holds or is eligible to hold registration as a general practitioner in the country granting the post nominal through this agreement.
- The fellow of RACGP or member of ICGP is already resident in, or provides evidence of an approved position in the country granting the post nominal through this agreement.
As a consequence of this the fellow of RACGP or member of ICGP:
- Gain all the responsibilities and privileges of fellowship or membership of the granting College.
- Be entitled to use one post nominal, either FRACGP or MICGP, and that of their country of current residence.
- Have reciprocal recognition of recertification activities.
- Be responsible for payment of any processing fee that may apply to any individual application as determined by the separate Colleges and/or any prescribed membership fees due to those Colleges.
Doctors Training and Qualifying in General Practice in Australia
From the 3rd of February 2007 doctors who hold the FRACGP qualification are eligible to apply for membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) without further training, examination, experience or other requirements. As a result they may work as specialist general practitioners in Ireland, subject to the registration provisions/regulations of the Irish Medical Council and other statutory bodies.
On becoming members of the Irish College of General Practitioners through this route, doctors are eligible for entry to the Specialist Division of the Register - General Practice and may work within state schemes in Ireland including the General Medical Service Scheme (GMS)*.
Doctors Training and Qualifying in General Practice in Ireland
Graduates of the ICGP, holding the MICGP are eligible to apply for fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP). Once conferred with the FRACGP, they may work as vocationally recognised specialist general practitioners in Australia. Doctors holding the FRACGP may work both in private practice and within state systems subject to the registration provisions/ regulations of the medical registration boards of the Australian state(s) in which they wish to work.
Applications and Administration of Awards
The RACGP administers applications for mutual recognition through the RACGP National Office in South Melbourne, Australia. Confirmatory evidence of membership in good standing of the Irish College of General Practitioners must accompany all applications. Confirmatory evidence of Fellowship in good standing of the RACGP must accompany all applications
While either College may process an application for fellowship / membership by reciprocity on the basis of documentary evidence of an approved position in the country concerned the fellowship will not be confirmed and awarded until the applicant has commenced general practice in the country.
Continual Professional Development in Ireland
Continuous medical education/competence assurance is currently voluntary for general practitioners in Ireland. However, this situation will change with the implementation of the Medical Practitioners Act which will govern CAS (competence assurance structures) matters and the Specialist Division of the Register - General Practice. On the enactment of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 competence assurance will become compulsory for all registered medical practitioners.
Continual Professional Development in Australia
In Australia, all fellows of the RACGP are expected to fully participate in the RACGP QA&CPD programme, which aims to assist GPs maintain and improve the quality of care they give to patients and guarantee the highest possible standards of care in the community. Satisfactory participation in the QA&CPD programme is also a requirement to maintain access to the higher Medicare (A1) rebates associated with the GP items on the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
Each institution reserves the right to refuse membership/fellowship applications and or to place additional conditions or requirements on applicants. MICGP by mutual recognition status does not confer an automatic right to work within Ireland or other EU states.
*Note: Mutual recognition MICGP/FRACGP does not confer an applicant with automatic entitlement to membership of either college. A formal application process is required.
**Note: doctors who obtain their primary medical qualification outside the EU and/or are not citizens of the EU are not automatically entitled to a Certificate of Specific Training/Acquired Rights in General Medical Practice: EU Directive 93/16 (CSTAR).
Irish Graduates Going to Australia
For information on the FRACGP and how to apply for fellowship visit:
http://www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways/fellowship.
Australian Graduates Coming to Ireland
Please download the application form below.
Documents
MICGP FRACGP Reciprocity Application Form
(MICGP_FRACGP_RECIPROSITY_Application_Form_updatedJuly_2007.doc | 1015 KB)