Anaesthetists in Training in Ireland
ANAESTHESIA TRAINING IN IRELAND
Dr. J Loughrey, GAT Committee
List of Contents
There are three Basic Specialist Training (BST) Programmes at SHO level ;the Eastern, Western, and Southern Regional Schemes, to facilitate rotationof Trainees at SHO level, and to provide guidance for sitting the primary exam.
There is mandatory registration of Trainees with the Faculty ofAnaesthetists, which results in the issuing of a training number. There is a four (soon to be five) year National Rotational TrainingProgramme at SpR level, entry to which is subject to possession of the Primary exam, satisfactory completion of two years basic training, and a competitive interview.
The Training Committee of the Faculty ofAnaesthetists has responsibility for appointments. Dr. John Cahill is the current Honorary Secretary of the Training Committee. There are now roughly 80 trainees on this Programme, Completion of Training on the National Programme results in the awarding of a CST (Certification of Specialist Training), which is equivalent to thefinal RITA in the UK, and is necessary to enter on to the Specialist Register of the Irish Medical Council and/or receive a CSD (Certificate of Specialist Doctor). The CSD is the Irish equivalent of the Certificate ofCompletion of Specialist Training (CCST) issued by the Specialist Training Authority in the UK. Certificates of equivalent standing are identified byname in the European Directive 1993/16/EEC for each of the member states ofthe EEA. Anyone possessing a CSD has by right access to the Specialist Register of any European country.
Some 256 trainees have been identified by the Faculty, of which 108 are non-EU. Non EU doctors are precluded from obtaining a CSD, as are those whose primary academic (MB) degree was obtained outside the EU.
The Faculty was founded in 1959 and is currently located in the RoyalCollege of Surgeons in Ireland at 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2. The Faculty is now a legal separate entity from the Royal College of Surgeonsin Ireland with its' own Articles of Association and Memorandum of Agreement. Following a motion from the Dean at the 1998 Annual General Meeting, the fellows opted to change the Faculty's name to The College of Anaesthetists, R.C.S.I. The College has recently been granted charitable trust status. An expansion of the secretariat of services and accommodation facilities is planned.
The two day Annual Scientific Meeting occurs in May, and Fellows also meet at the Autumn and Winter meetings. In addition, there is a competition for Trainees to present original research, at which the winner is awarded the prestigious Delaney medal.
Changes in the Examination for Fellowship of the Faculty (FFARCSI) cameinto place on 1 August 1996, in parallel with the two-part examination structure adopted by the Royal College of Anaesthetists. There is reciprocity between the RCA and the Faculty with regard to the examinations in London and Dublin subject to their regulations. The T. Brophy Medal isawarded to the trainee with the highest marks in the Final Fellowship examination.
The Irish Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine has been held annually since 1996. It is run by the Irish Board of Intensive Care Medicine and awarded by the Conjoint Board of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons inIreland. It consists of a written paper, multiple choice, clinical exam and vivas.
Irish College Qualifications and the UK Specialist Register
Some confusion has recently been raised concerning possession of the Irish Fellowship and entry onto UK Specialist Training Schemes and the UKSpecialist Register. This has resulted from a requirement laid out by the Specialist Training Authority (STA) for those individuals who are seeking entry onto the UK Specialist Register from non-consultant permanent Hospital grade posts on a once-off situation. The STA requires that, to fulfil a type of grandfather clause, the doctors in these posts who wish to be entered onto the UK Register must have a UK qualification and demonstrate that they have achieved training equivalent to that of individuals who have been awarded a CCST.
The standing of the Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the RoyalCollege of Surgeons in Ireland (FFARCSI) is not in question. The STA requirement for the permanent non-consultant grade doctors currently excludes qualifications from all other European and Commonwealth countries (apart from CCST equivalents).The possession of the FFARCSI is equivalent to the FRCA for those in or entering Specialist Training Programmes in the UK. A CCST will be issued toEU doctors completing higher Specialist Training in the UK. For those undergoing periods of training in more than one Member State (e.g. UK and Ireland), the jurisdiction responsible for assessing satisfactory completion of higher training is that in which the larger proportion of training has taken place.
AAGBI & Trainee Representation in Ireland
The Umbrella of the AAGBI covers two political jurisdictions with different Health Services. For this reason, in 1988, the Irish Standing Committee was established to deal with the particular problems facing members in the Republic of Ireland.
Following the recent introduction of SpR Training inIreland, the Irish Trainees have formed the Anaesthetists in Training in Ireland (ATI) Group from what was formerly the Irish Senior Registrars Group. This Group is concerned with issues particular to Irish Trainees.
There is an annual Registrars Prize Competition organised by the Group in December in association with the Winter Faculty meeting. The winner receives the Welcome medal and a sizeable bursary.The Group has representation on the training sub-committee of the Board of the Faculty ofAnaesthetists, the Irish Standing Committee, and also the GAT committee tomaintain links with Trainees in the UK.
Specialist & Regional Societies in Ireland
Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland: The Anaesthesia Section, founded in 1947, holds an annual Registrars Prize Competition in November and awards a bronze medal of the Academy.
Anaesthesia papers are also presented at the National Scientific Meeting held in the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland in March. Website http://www.iol.ie/~rami/ Secretary: Dr. E. Tierney, Wexford General Hospital, Co. Wexford.
Intensive Care Society of Ireland: Administrative Secretary: Ms Daniela Korcel , 6 Kildare st., Dublin 2. Tel; -353-1-676 7650The Society has an active membership of 100-140. It holds a two-day annual scientific meeting in June in Dublin or Belfast and an autumn meeting. It also runs a three day preparatory course for the Diploma exam. Details ofthe exam may be obtained from Ms. Samantha Fanning, Examinations Office,R.C.S.I., 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2. The Society is federated to the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the World Federation of Intensive Medicine and Critical Care.
Irish Society of Obstetric Anaesthesia: A recently formed Society, which organises meetings of interest to all involved in the field of obstetric anaesthesia; e-mail isoa@coombe.ie
South of Ireland Association of Anaesthetists: Honorary Secretary: Dr. R. Meeke, Dept. of Anaesthesia, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork.Tel; - 353-21-546400. Founded over forty years ago, the Society holds its' Annual Scientific Meeting in October with a Registrars Case Presentation Prize.
Western Association of Anaesthetists: Honorary Secretary: Dr. A. Sharkey, Dept. of Anaesthesia, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Tel;-353-91-26588. The annual Symposium in Spring (now in its' 26th year) is noted for its'excellent Social Programme and free paper session open to all Anaesthetists.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green,Dublin 2.
Irish Medical Organisation I.M.O. House, 10 Fitzwilliam Place,Dublin 2.
Dept. of Health: Hawkins House, Hawkins St.Dublin 2.
Irish Medical Council: 8
Anaesthetists in Training in Ireland Group Secretary : Dr. Paul O'Connor, Rotunda Hospital, Parnell st, Dublin 1.Email; anaesthetics@hotmail.com Website http://www.anaesthetics.com (under construction).
Eastern Regional Anaesthesia Training Programme Secretary : Dr.V.Hannon, Dept. of Anaesthesia, St. Vincents Hospital, Elmpk., Dublin 4.
Western Regional Anaesthesia Training Programme Secretary : Dr. G. Coughlan, Dept. of Anaesthesia, University CollegeHospital,Newcastle rd., Co. Galway.
Southern Regional Anaesthesia Training Programme Secretary : Dr.R. Meeke, Dept. of Anaesthesia, Cork University Hospital,Wilton, Co. Cork.
Irish Healthcare Institutions Link to Irish academic and professional institutions from the HEA's server at http://www.heanet.ie
Irish Department of Health includes publications and links to government sites http://www.doh.ie
The Irish Medical Directory includes personnel and hospital listings http://www.imd.ie
Written by Dr John Loughrey, Summer 1998. Edited for the internet by Pat Neligan ATI.
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