COVID-19

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This is a dedicated page for doctors relating to COVID-19 updates and information from the Medical Council. On this page you will find information for doctors, information for patients, information relating to registration, re-joining the register, ethical guidance.

Information for doctors

Information for Doctors

The Medical Council acknowledges that the Covid-19 pandemic will have a significant impact on public health, primary, secondary, and tertiary care across the Republic of Ireland.

The Irish health system and its staff will come under unprecedented pressure during this time, and it will be a very challenging time for medical practitioners.

The Medical Council has a statutory role in protecting the public by promoting the highest professional standards amongst doctors practising in the Republic of Ireland. In this role, the Medical Council acts to support doctors, and wishes to reassure practitioners that it recognises that the current times will require temporary changes to normal practice and that it, as a regulator, will take this into account.

The Medical Council knows that the Covid-19 pandemic will require doctors to be flexible in the way they work. This may involve working in areas outside normal clinical practice, and in unfamiliar circumstances. This will not be easy, and the Medical Council recognises that practice in these situations may be very stressful.

When deciding on the best course of action at any time, doctors should consider what is within their own area of competence and consider their own safety while deciding what is best for the patient. You should recognise any areas of practice where you are not proficient without consultation with colleagues.

The Medical Council is here to support doctors in whatever way it can. It advises doctors to follow their clinical judgment, and best practice insofar as possible. It advises doctors to follow relevant clinical guidelines, as well as the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics, as far as is practical in the current climate. It encourages doctors to keep good notes and if they are retrospective to label them as such.
Emergencies and unusual situations will arise. The Medical Council encourages doctors to follow their professional judgement and assess all risks to ensure patients receive safe care. Safe care is a priority for all.

We expect doctors to act responsibly, and reasonably and to be able to explain their actions and decisions if required. However, the Medical Council also acknowledges that this is an unprecedented time, and that challenges will arise. Any complaints about medical practitioners are considered on the specific facts of the case, and the particular situation in which the doctor is working. The Medical Council understands that the current state of affairs is new. The Council encourages doctors to remain calm and exercise their clinical and professional judgment.

The Medical Council urges doctors to practise self-care, to eat well, rest as much as possible, and look after their own health.

The Medical Council will continue to support you all at this difficult time, and acknowledges the amazing teamwork and professionalism exhibited so far by its registrants.

Doctors returning to Practice

Information for Doctors returning to practice for the purposes of Covid-19

The HSE has asked all healthcare professionals from all disciplines who are not already working in the public health service to register to be on call for Ireland. This will be to work in existing or newly set up facilities, to provide, organise and support the care that’s needed.

See : https://hbsrecruitmentservices.ie/

A number of doctors have volunteered to return to the HSE to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic. These doctors may be coming out of retirement or returning to Ireland to help.

If you are one of the doctors returning to practice, we thank you very much, and we also provide the following guidance to assist you in this return.


1. The Registration Process

The registration process is aligned to the HSE “Be On Call for Ireland” programme.
Therefore, any doctor registering under the Council’s Covid-19 assistance is expected to contact the HSE at the above website.

The registration process is very straightforward, and full details can be found by going to the Council’s specific Covid-19 page on the website https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/existing-registrants-/manage-your-registration/voluntary-withdrawal-and-restoral-.html, noting the only document required is a copy of your passport.

Registration under these arrangements is under section 110 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. This new provision will enable the Council to take you off the Register, when it has been identified that your services are no longer required.

2. Where should I work?

As the Council’s Covid-19 registration process is aligned to the HSE “Be On Call for Ireland” programme you can only work in assigned HSE posts. This will ensure you have appropriate support and supervision if required, as well as appropriate indemnity cover. The appropriate level of indemnity cover is a legal requirement.

The HSE will assess your suitability for any post based on your recency of practice. It is important to follow the guidance from the HSE in this regard, and ensure you are satisfied you have the requisite level of competency for the relevant role.

3. Should I work outside my discipline?

The HSE’s aim is to appoint workers into their qualified discipline. In exceptional circumstances you may be asked to work outside your discipline in this pandemic situation and you should discuss this with the appropriate management staff within the HSE.

The Medical Council’s guidance states that you should recognise areas of practice which you should not undertake without further training or supervision. Please keep this in mind at all times on assignment to any post.

In emergencies, either in clinical settings or in the community, you should provide assistance or care unless you are satisfied that appropriate care will be provided by others. When considering the care you can offer, you should take into account your own competence and safety.

4. What guidelines should I follow?

The Medical Council is here to support doctors in whatever way it can. It advises doctors to follow their clinical judgment, and best practice insofar as possible. It advises doctors to follow relevant clinical guidelines, HSE guidelines on the Covid-19 pandemic https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/guidanceforhealthcareworkers/, as well as the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics - as far as is practical in the current climate.

The Medical Council encourages doctors – again insofar as it is possible - to keep good notes, and if they are retrospective to label them as such.

5. What if I have an underlying medical condition or concerns about my health?

If you have an underlying medical condition you should disclose this to the HSE. The HSE have advised that they will be guided by Occupational Health in assigning workers/ volunteers to particular care areas. This may mean you will not be placed in a patient-facing role.

The Medical Council urges doctors to practise self-care, to eat well, rest as much as possible, and look after their own health at this difficult time.

6. Where can I find further information?

The HSE has an informative web page at https://hbsrecruitmentservices.ie/faqs/
This outlines frequently asked questions and provides information on the interview process, and occupational health assessments required.

Please ensure to liaise closely with the HSE at this time and follow their guidance and recommendations in taking up any post.

The Medical Council thanks you again for your assistance to the health service at this time.
Please see further guidance on regulation and Covid-19 at the link below:

Regulation and the Medical Council during Covid-19 pandemic

Information for patients

Information for Patients

Covid-19 will have a significant impact on our country’s health system over the coming weeks and months.

Doctors will be working incredibly hard to ensure all their patients receive appropriate care.
Doctors, and healthcare teams, will be under considerable pressure, and the impact of Covid-19 means they need to deliver care in different ways. All healthcare staff will be doing their very best to ensure that they are protecting patients and the health of the country in general.

Doctors may have to re-arrange non-urgent care, and some treatments may be delayed.

Doctors are still accountable for the decisions they make, and they are expected to do their best in extraordinary circumstances, as well as follow appropriate guidelines, insofar as it is possible, prioritising patient care. The patient/doctor relationship is based on respect. We can all help by being understanding of the pressures on healthcare staff at present and ensure we treat them with respect and empathy.

It is important for patients to follow all relevant HSE guidelines, to self-isolate, practice good hand hygiene, social distancing and take care. These measures will assist in easing the pressures on healthcare staff and keeping all safe.

The Medical Council will continue in its role in protecting patients and supporting doctors in these extraordinary times.

Registration

Restoring to the Register as part of national Covid-19 response

Doctors who are no longer on the Register may be seeking to restore to the Register in order to assist the HSE, for Covid-19 purposes.

To do so you will need to complete an online application. The process is straightforward, here are the key steps:
You will do this through the Council’s Online Portal. 

You will be asked to enter your username and password, if you have forgotten your username/password click on the link to retrieve them.

Having logged in you will need to select the Restore to the Register option. This will then ask if you are seeking to Restore to assist with Covid-19 activity. You need to CHECK THIS BOX.

Then move through the steps completing each page.

You should now click on this link, which will take you to the Log In page for the Council’s Online Portal, and follow the steps above.

NOTE: DO NOT CREATE A NEW RECORD (i.e. do not select the “No Registration Number? Apply now” option), as a previous registrant you already have a record.

If you have difficulties logging on please email restorals@mcirl.ie and we will send you information to assist. 

DOCUMENTS

You will need to provide a copy of your passport with your application. This should be emailed to restorals@mcirl.ie. When emailing the copy of your passport please include your Medical Council Registration Number in the Subject line.

PLEASE NOTE: Covid-19 assistance registration will not require a fee payment.

If you are seeking to restore to the Register on a permanent basis, when you log into the Online Portal DO NOT check the Covid-19 box.

Any doctor applying for registration for COIVD-19 purposes will have fees waived.
The Council wishes to thank all doctors who have contacted us to re-register or to join the register as part of the National COVID-19 response.

Ethical Guidance and Best Practices

The Medical Council acknowledges the exceptional circumstances faced by medical practitioners in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland, which will pose considerable medical, ethical, and societal challenges. The Medical Council wishes to express its support for doctors in providing medical care with humanity and dignity to affected patients of all ages, beliefs and cultures.

As the impact of the pandemic grows, healthcare resources may become overwhelmed. Allocation of finite healthcare resources in a way that is equitable and just will present difficult choices. Doctors have a duty to use resources prudently and fairly, to produce the most benefits possible for individuals served by those interventions.

The Medical Council recognises the difficulties that this will raise, particularly for healthcare professionals working in Intensive Care Medicine. They will need to evaluate patients and identify those with the best chance of recovery. In making decisions based on the principle of prioritising the use of scarce resources to treat those patients most likely to survive, more lives are likely to be preserved. This appraisal of the potential benefits a treatment might provide to different patients lies within the scope of experienced Intensive Care Medicine doctors. It is acknowledged that patients, families, or allied healthcare professionals, may sometimes hold different views.

The burden of decisions made by medical practitioners during this time of healthcare crisis is shared by the Medical Council and our wider society.

The Medical Council has a statutory role in protecting the public by promoting the highest professional standards amongst doctors practising in the Republic of Ireland. In this role, the Medical Council acts to support doctors, and wishes to reassure practitioners that it recognises that the current times will require temporary changes to normal practice and that it, as a regulator, will take this into account.

The Medical Council knows that the Covid-19 pandemic will require doctors to be flexible in the way they work. This may involve working in areas outside normal clinical practice, and in unfamiliar circumstances. This will not be easy, and the Medical Council recognises that practice in these situations may be very stressful.

When deciding on the best course of action at any time, doctors should consider what is within their own area of competence and consider their own safety while deciding what is best for the patient. You should recognise any areas of practice where you are not proficient without consultation with colleagues.

The Medical Council is here to support doctors in whatever way it can. It advises doctors to follow their clinical judgment, and best practice insofar as possible. It advises doctors to follow relevant clinical guidelines, as well as the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics, as far as is practical in the current climate. It encourages doctors to keep good notes and if they are retrospective to label them as such.

Emergencies and unusual situations will arise. The Medical Council encourages doctors to follow their professional judgement and assess all risks to ensure patients receive safe care. Safe care is a priority for all.

We expect doctors to act responsibly, and reasonably and to be able to explain their actions and decisions if required. However, the Medical Council also acknowledges that this is an unprecedented time, and that challenges will arise. Any complaints about medical practitioners are considered on the specific facts of the case, and the particular situation in which the doctor is working. This will include reference to any relevant ethical frameworks in place in the healthcare environment, or any relevant guidelines in place in the healthcare environment.

We would reiterate the importance of keeping up to date with relevant COVID-19 guidance issued by the Department of Health, specifically in relation to the ethical framework for decision making: ethical considerations relating to critical care; Ethical Considerations for PPE Use by Health Care Workers and Ethical Considerations Relating to Long-Term Residential Care Facilities.

Regulation and CPD

The Medical Council is acutely aware of the significant impact Covid-19 will have on the Irish health system over the coming weeks and months, and of the efforts being undertaken by all frontline healthcare workers, including doctors, in providing treatment and care to all patients.

With specific regard to the Medical Council’s regulatory role, and in light of the unprecedented pressure many doctors will face during this period, the decision has been taken by the Medical Council to adapt flexibly to its regulatory role, specifically its complaints process and CPD monitoring requirement. This approach will prioritise patient safety, as always.

Complaints Process/Fitness to Practise

The Medical Council will prioritise the following in order to protect the public:

1. Essential hearing and actions, i.e. suspension orders required to protect the public

2. Complaints which pose a high risk to patient safety

All other casework will continue to the best of our ability in these difficult times.

At all times we will endeavour to minimise any impact on parties involved in the provision of healthcare. This means we may not be able to process some complaints efficiently, or at all for the time being. We will communicate with anyone involved in the complaints process in this regard in due course, and support all parties as best we can at this time.

We are currently arranging for access to remote working for all staff involved in the complaints process, so apologies if you are having difficulties in reaching your normal point of contact at this time.

We will be in contact with those involved in the complaint and fitness to practise processes as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you have any queries, please contact complaints@mcirl.ie and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Maintenance of Professional Competence Requirements

Maintaining Enrolment

All doctors in the Specialist, General and Supervised Division of the Medical Council register must enrol in a Professional Competence Scheme (Scheme) that best reflects their education, training, competence and scope of practice. This includes the current year: 2020/21.

CPD Requirements 

2020/21

The Medical Council recognises that engagement in CPD over the last year has been different to previous years, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has resulted in focused learning arising from adaptations to the practice of medicine, both COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 related.

This gave rise to the Council’s agreement to significantly reduce CPD requirements for the 2020/21 year and include an annotation to the 2020/21 Statements of Participation to indicate “extenuating circumstances due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which may have limited engagement in and recording of CPD activity for 2020/21”. However, this does not exempt doctors from engaging in CPD, this requirement does remain mandatory.

2021/22

In the Professional Competence Year beginning on 1 May 2021 and ending on 30 April 2022, doctors will be required to undertake and record the following CPD activity with their Scheme:

  • 25 credits (in any category: external, internal, personal, research/teaching); and
  • One clinical/practice audit.

The Medical Council intends to reinstate its risk-based framework for monitoring doctors’ maintenance of professional competence. This means that doctors will be asked to make a declaration about their Maintenance of Professional Competence (MPC) when renewing their registration in 2021. Doctors’ MPC declaration will be compared with Professional Competence Scheme data to monitor that they are meeting their MPC requirements.

The 2021/22 CPD requirements as outlined above will be kept under review in light of a protracted pandemic. Should further updates be required, these will be communicated to doctors through their Professional Competence Schemes and on the Medical Council website.

Prescription Regulation Amendments and Guidance

Temporary amendments to the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (as amended) have been made by the Minister for Health.
These temporary amendments change how prescription-only medicines, including controlled drugs, can be supplied to patients, including allowing the electronic transfer of prescription from prescribers to pharmacies. The purpose of these changes is to ensure continuity of care and access to treatment for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic and to reduce some of the burden on prescribers and pharmacists.

To assist prescribers and pharmacists, the PSI, Medical Council and HSE have published joint guidance setting out the amendments to the legislation for supply of prescription-only medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The amendments allow for the electronic transfer of prescriptions between doctors and pharmacies and remove the need for a paper equivalent. The legislation also extends the validity of prescriptions from six to nine months and enables pharmacists to make additional supplies of prescription only medicines to patients from an existing prescription. This additional authority to pharmacists must only be used where, in the pharmacist’s
professional judgement, continued treatment is required and it is safe and appropriate to make an additional supply.

This extension of authority places an important duty on the pharmacist to use their professional judgement in discussing the patient’s treatment with them, so as to ensure that it is safe, appropriate and necessary for their continued treatment and care for further supplies to be made.

Changes have also been made to the quantity of medicine that can be provided as an emergency supply at the request of a patient or prescriber. Collaboration between prescriber and pharmacist remains vital, and the pharmacist should contact the prescriber to discuss the patient’s care if in doubt as to whether it is the intention of the prescriber for a continued supply of a medicine to be made, or the pharmacist wishes to obtain
further information on whether it is safe or in the patient’s best interest to do so.

Key Changes include:

  • Electronic prescription transfer via healthmail
  • Maximum period of validity of a prescription increased to 9 months (previously 6 months)
  • The number of times a prescription may be repeated has been increased
  • A prescriber can request a pharmacist to make an ‘emergency supply’ of a prescription only medicinal product to a patient where by reason of an emergency, he or she is not in a position to provide the prescription immediately.

Please read the Joint Medical Council, PSI and HSE Guidance here.

Well-being supports for doctors

Supports available for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis

HSE Resources:

Postgraduate training body resources:

Healthcare practitioner and allied health-led resources:

Indemnifier resources:

International resources

World Health Organisation:

Canada:

Australia:

  • Beyond Blue Mental wellbeing supports with a section dedicated to Healthcare Professionals.
  • Drs for Drs: Each state in Australia has 24/7 helpline staffed by senior GPs and experienced counsellors trained in doctors’ health.
  • Hand-N-Hand Peer support Facebook group for health workers.
  • Mindfulness in medicine: Melbourne Centre for Mindfulness online tool for Doctors to learn more about mindfulness as ‘a tool for living in these difficult times’.
  • The Victorian Medical Benevolent Association: Information on financial assistance for doctors in difficulty.

UK:

New Zealand:

United States:

American College of Surgeons: Assistance and wellbeing.

Contact 

Contact details are available here