RCSI welcomes the publication today of the 2017 'Your Training Counts' report by the Medical Council.

Greater insight into the experience of trainee specialists in the health service is critical in making improvements to the quality of clinical training and well-being of trainees, for the benefit of patients. This report is very important in that regard.

It remains of great concern that such a significant number (40.9%) of specialist trainees report experiencing bullying. Bullying has no place in healthcare, and the College is committed to providing training and support, which promotes a positive culture which is free of bullying across and within the professions. We directly survey our trainees on these issues to inform our approach, and we facilitate complaints and grievances. The Civility Project, a joint RCSI/RCPI initiative, is working to establish a culture of civility and professionalism in training hospitals.

RCSI provides extensive information and guidance to all surgical trainees on the College’s mSurgery platform, and we have developed comprehensive human factors programmes that aim to support healthcare professionals to develop their personal and interpersonal skills. These programmes also provide information and guidance on adverse events, experienced by 43.5% of specialist trainees according to the report published today.

It is noteworthy that many of those who responded indicated a desire to practice in Ireland, compared with previous years where there was a clear pattern of respondents intending to move abroad to practice. This is a most positive development, and it should be harnessed and encouraged through systemic and cultural changes which make the Irish health service a more attractive career option for our medical graduates.

The report’s recommendations in respect of amendments to the 2007 Medical Practitioners Act to improve equality and access for international medical graduates to formal training are to be welcomed. RCSI, and our partner training bodies, believe that all doctors in our system should be supported by their employers in having structured and relevant training and career paths. Currently, there is a greater number of non-training NCHDs employed in the system than NCHDs in structured training. There are many other variables impacting on our capacity to expand training, but the most significant is the high and ever-increasing number of consultant vacancies.

RCSI is committed to working with the Minister for Health, the HSE and the Medical Council to address the issues raised in this report in order to support a positive working environment in the interests of patients.