Dear

IMC No:

Re:   RCSI Professional Competence Scheme Verification Process - 1^st May 2023 – 30^th April 2024

As part of the arrangements agreed with the Medical Council, it is a requirement that each Postgraduate Training body undertake an annual verification of activities recorded by 3-5% of doctors enrolled on the Professional Competence Scheme.  

I wish to advise you that you have been randomly selected to participate in this verification process for the PCS year 1^st May 2023 – 30^th April 2024.   This process will involve a check on each of the activities that you have uploaded to your Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) profile and the CPD credits assigned to each activity. 

As you will be aware the PCS requirements for the year 1 May 2023 –30 April 2024 were adjusted by the Medical Council.   Doctors were required to record 40 CPD credits AND complete one Clinical/Practice Audit with their Scheme.  The 40 credits could be recorded in any CPD category (external, internal, personal learning, research/teaching). Minimum CPD targets for each category did not apply for 2023/24.   

What does this Verification Process means for you?

If you still have activities which you have not yet uploaded for the term ending 30 April 2024, please upload these activities on or before Friday 12th July 2024.    If you are unable to upload activities or are uncertain which activities can be recorded and in which category please contact the PCS office pcs@rcsi.ie

Please ensure that you have evidence of your professional activities which you have entered on your profile.  It is easier if you upload scanned or electronic copies to the portfolio.   

Certain activities require supporting documentation and, if this has not been uploaded, you will be requested to upload (or submit) this for each appropriate activity up to the minimum requirement – 40 CPD credits and evidence of your Audit.   Evidence is not required for activities uploaded to the Personal Learning category.   If you cannot provide supporting documentation/ certificates of attendance, this will be noted and may impact on the total number of verified credits you have accrued for this period 2023– 2024.

The verification process will commence Monday 15th July 2024 so it will help if all your credits and supporting documentation are uploaded on or before Friday 12th July 2024.

If the evidence in your portfolio shows that you have recorded sufficient activities/credits and have the required certificates and documents, you will receive full credit for the Professional Competence Scheme and your Portfolio will be verified without further action.   If however there are discrepancies identified, you will be contacted again so that the issues identified can be addressed.  Please note, recognition for credits that do not have appropriate verification evidence may be withdrawn in that your overall credits on your certificate will be amended.

Should you have any queries, please contact Marie O’Boyle at the PCS Office: by email: pcs@rcsi.ie

Mr Dara Kavanagh, FRCS MCh

Clinical Lead, Professional Competence Scheme