President of the Medical Council Congratulates Students who received CAO offer to Study Medicine

Friday, 11th September 2020: The President of the Medical Council has today extended her congratulations to the students who received offers to study medicine in today’s CAO offers.

“The Leaving Cert class of 2020 have had a stressful and unusual year compared to previous cohorts, but I wish to extend my congratulations to those who have successfully secured places to study medicine in Irish Universities today.”

“These students are starting their journey towards a career in medicine in a very different health landscape than those who went before them. Needless to say their college experience will be different with social distancing, blended learning and other changes due to COVID-19 guidelines.”

“The high standard of medical education provided by Irish universities is internationally recognised and the leaving cert class of 2020 who will be entering these medical schools in the coming weeks will greatly benefit from this.”

“You have worked extremely hard to get to this point and this work ethic will need to develop further to ensure you maximise your potential during your time in medical school.”

“I know there are a number of students out there who are very disappointed this afternoon who had wished to secure a place to study medicine. Other options exist to gain entry to medical school such as the excellent Graduate Entry Medicine programmes run by many of the universities which allows for a student with a degree to apply to study medicine.”

Graduate Entry Medicine offers students with a degree in another discipline the opportunity to study medicine at an accelerated rate of a four-year programme instead of the more traditional five- year programme.

Dr Doyle continued “To those beginning medical school for the first time in the coming weeks I wish you every success as you commence on a journey of lifelong learning.”

“The Medical Council is here with you on this journey ensuring that the high standards of medical education in Ireland continue, through to your specialist training and onto the rest of your career with your continuous professional development. When you qualify as a doctor you will register with the Council, joining the community of doctors registered in Ireland which currently stands at 23,555.”

“Enjoy the experience, embrace the challenges, work hard and I look forward to welcoming you to the medical profession in a few short years”, concluded Dr Doyle.

Every medical degree programme delivered in Ireland is required to meet Medical Council standards, which are based upon the World Federation for Medical Education’s Global Standards for Quality Improvement in Medical Education. These standards set requirements for programmes, and for the medical schools delivering the programmes. The Medical Council is also a World Federation for Medical Education’s recognised Accrediting Agent.

The Medical Council accreditation activities, for medical education and training at all levels, can be broken down into the following stages.

• The Medical School (or Postgraduate Training Body, or Clinical Site) is asked to provide a written submission to the Medical Council, providing confirmation and evidence that each of our standards is being met. The Council also request additional information such as the number of students at different stages of the programme.
• An accreditation team is formed, which is typically made up of Council members, and experts in medical education and training from within, and outside of Ireland. The team receive a copy of the written submission, noting any areas of concern, or areas which may require further clarifications.
• The accreditation team visits the medical school and clinical sites such as teaching hospitals which contribute to programme delivery. During the visit, the team meets with representatives of the school to discuss the submission, and to confirm that our standards are being met. The team also meets with a large number of medical students whose views and feedback on the programme, and the medical school, are a crucial element of the accreditation process.
• At the end of an accreditation process for programmes and bodies, Council has a range of options open to it under the Act. Its decision is based on the extent to which the body and the programme complies with the rules, criteria, standards and guidelines specified by Council.

ENDS