The purpose of the Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) Committee is to provide strategic direction and leadership to ensure that the ICGP PCS for General Practitioners operates in compliance with the arrangements with the Medical Council of Ireland. Using clear management, effective decision making and governance frameworks, the committee reviews PCS measures to support GPs in complying with the Scheme appropriately within their scope of practice.
With reference to the ICGP arrangements with the Medical Council of Ireland, the Committee's role is to oversee PCS supports for GPs and reporting on same.
Committee Chair responsibilities include, but are not restricted to, the following:
Committee members' responsibilities include, but are not restricted to, the following:
The Committee will carry out its responsibilities by oversight as well as through work on relevant external groups, for example The Forum of Postgraduate Training Bodies Professional Competence Scheme Sub Committee.
The committee aspires to ensure a diversity of representation with particular reference to geographic spread, gender and experience.
o GPIT
o Network of Establishing GPs (NEGS)
o Three members from Council / Faculty
A quorum of six (6) members is required for a meeting to proceed.
With discretion, the Committee can invite specific expertise, including patient representation, to attend or address topics on an as-needed basis.
Committee members usually serve one three-year term and can be reappointed to serve a second consecutive term, after which time the member rotates off the committee. Tenure may be extended by agreement to retain particular and appropriate expertise. To retain appropriate levels of committee-specific expertise, care is taken to avoid all members rotating off the committee at the same time.
The chair serves one three-year term and can be reappointed to serve a second consecutive term, after which time a new chair is appointed.
The PCS Committee reports to the Education Governance Committee which, in turn, reports to the ICGP Board.
At least five meetings per year – in September, November, January, March and June. Meetings can be in person or virtually.
The standing items on the agenda include the following:
Committee members and administrators use the designated electronic area to access and comment on committee documentation.
Minutes from each meeting are prepared, approved and disseminated as soon as possible after each meeting and no later than fifteen business days after the meeting. Committee reports are submitted in advance of each meeting, preferably within five working days. Specific reports may be disseminated to appropriate audiences as required.
The committee performance and that of individual members is gauged using metrics such as percentage of attendance; achievement of roles and responsibilities; review of committee effectiveness; how well the committee and individual members feel they are performing their role.
A member of ICGP staff provides administrative support to the PCS Committee. This staff member is responsible for arranging meeting logistics; circulating agenda, schedule, pre-meeting papers; documenting minutes and disseminating approved minutes within the agreed timeframe of the meeting being held.
These terms of reference are subject to an annual review.