The two-day Annual Conference of the Irish College of General Practitioners, held over Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May, was a huge success, with the biggest attendance to date, and positive feedback from members. Over 450 members attended, double the number on last year.
The choice of the Convention Centre in Dublin as a new venue proved very popular with members and visitors, and allowed for lively debates and serious learning opportunities, as well as good social opportunities and networking.
The expanded Conference gave learning opportunities to members on a wide range of areas, from women's health, to childhood allergies, mental health and care of the elderly.
The Official Opening by well-known Ireland rugby coach Joe Schmidt brought the conference together on Friday evening when he talked about the importance of the work of general practitioners at an individual and family level, as well as doctors' role as leaders in the health community.
A highlight was the talk by Professor Richard Lehman, Professor of the Shared Understanding of Medicine, University of Birmingham on "SUM: Sharing the Understanding of Medicine".
Saturday's Foundation Lecture "The 'Continuity' Principle - General Practice as a key driver of medical Education" was presented by Prof. Liam Glynn, a rural GP in Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare and Professor of General Practice, University of Limerick. It was thought-provoking and educational, and very well received.
The College's Forum "Recruitment, Retention, Replacement" which heard detailed presentations from Dr Austin Byrne and Dr John O'Brien on the manpower problems and the challenges of retaining and recruiting more GPs, heard GPs' frontline experiences of the pressures of expanding demand in an under-resourced system.
A live poll of the audience during the Forum saw over 33% predict they would emigrate if conditions did not improve for them within three years.
The Conference theme was "Leading the Way to Better Health", and this Conference demonstrates the College's continued leadership for general practice.
The 19 workshops were lively and informative, with strong attendance, while the focus on practical advice for newly emerging GPs received a good response from younger members.
The real-life courtroom drama "Doc in the Doc" demystified the Coroner's Inquest for GPs, and was a new feature of the Conference.
"This year's Annual Conference stands out as a really successful one, and we were very pleased to see so many new and younger members attend, along with our colleagues and regular attendees," said Dr John O'Brien. "The decision to extend to a two-day conference, and in Dublin, has proven very popular with our members, and brought a fresh atmosphere to the event."
"There was a lively discussion on a wide spectrum of topics of direct interest to GPs in the motions in the Business meeting ,from GDPR to online PCRS reimbursement, reversal of GP GMS cuts, sexual healthcare and manpower issues," Dr O'Brien said.
"Video consultations, ehealth and health screening were also topical motions at the Business meeting. We are very engaged in trying to understand the impact of technology on the delivery of healthcare."
The AGM acknowledged concerns raised by members regarding the transfer of training from the HSE to the ICGP, and agreed that a final agreement on this will be formally approved at an EGM convened by the Board. The AGM agreed the College suspend discussions with the HSE regarding the transfer of GP training to the College until such time as the Industrial Relations issues with its members are resolved.
The ICGP also issued a statement on the outcome of the Referendum on the Eighth Amendment, welcoming the clarity arising from the result, and said more detailed information will be required in delivering crisis pregnancy services. (see separate press release on the website www.icgp.ie)
Full details of the programme can be found at www.icgpevents.ie
MEDIA QUERIES: Aileen O'Meara, Communications Consultant, ICGP 087 2239830 media@icgp.ie @icgpnews #ICGPAGM2018
Visit our Clinical Hub ยป
