As we approach the end of the Professional Competence Scheme year 30^th April 2019, we wish to remind you that you are required to record and upload certificates / proof of attendance for activities which you have participated in since May 2018.

The Statement of Participation for this year will be generated in May 2019 and will reflect what you have recorded on your Portfolio.  This Statement of Participation is the document that you will need to submit to the Medical Council if selected for their audit.  The Medical Council will require those who are re-registering to declare that they are in compliance with their requirements for maintaining competence.

Please also visit our ‘useful links’ section on the website where there are a number of useful documents and templates.

Doctors who complete a medical related advanced degree can claim CPD credits in the External Category on the Professional Competence Scheme.  The following is a guideline in how to award CPD credits for completion of a Higher Degree. 

ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits are allocated based on the defined learning outcomes and their associated workload.   A student/doctor can accumulate ECTS credits in order to obtain qualifications, as required by the degree-awarding institution, or to document personal achievements for lifelong learning purposes.

The following has been agreed as the process to transfer ECTS credits to CPD credits for the purpose of the Professional Competence Scheme.  One ECTS credit equates to five CPD credits.  For example

Therefore if a module on your MD Programme has 5 ECT credits, you can claim 25 CPD credits in the External Category.

These credits alone may bring a doctor to the minimum total number of 20 credits. However, you must ensure that the credits in your portfolio adequately cover the Eight Domains of Good Professional Practice as defined by the Medical Council.

The aim of creating a Professional Development Plan (PDP) is to document a process of self-analysis and set new and clearly definable educational goals for yourself in advance of the Professional Competence Scheme each year. It is not currently compulsory to complete a Professional Development Plan, however it is recommended that you do so.    Creating a PDP at the beginning of each Professional Competence Scheme year encourages you to plan your activities during the year and to set out goals for your personal development. It can also be used to reflect on and monitor your progress during the year.

Complete your Professional Development Plan and claim two CPD credits in the Internal Category

Having completed your PDP you may choose to review it with a professional colleague and you may each claim one CPD Credit in the Internal Category

At the end of the year (April 30th), you should review your PDP and assess whether you have met your goals.  You may claim one CPD credit in the Internal Category for reviewing your PDP at the end of the year. 

Full guidelines and forms are available here

The Medical Council recognise that periods of certified leave (maternity leave / sick leave) longer than three months may result in a doctor not being able to meet their obligations in relation to professional competence over that period.

If you are (or have been) absent from practice for three months or more during the professional competence year due to maternity or sick leave (which runs from 1st May 20-30th April), you should inform RCSI PCS department.  Please complete the Form which is available on our Website or click here 

We will record the absence on your PCS portfolio and an annotation will be appear against the relevant year on your Statement of Participation. Where possible, you should try and maintain some engagement in maintenance of professional competence during your absence from practice. You may be required by the Medical Council to produce documentation supporting your absence from practice if you are selected for a Maintenance of Professional Competence Audit.

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of Medical Law with a focus on both domestic and European in that area. Participants will develop an understanding of the practical application of Medical Law principles, the legal obligations on medical professionals and regulatory practice.  For more details, click here

For details on Events approved for External CPD credits by RCSI - click on Calendar of Events