This week, RCSI launches its 2022/2023 Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPD-SS) which is a free education programme for non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs). This extensive programme has been developed by RCSI in collaboration with HSE National Doctors Traning and Planning (NDTP).

To be eligible to attend these free CPD courses, NCHDs need to enrol on the programme before 30 September when enrollment closes. Further information on how to enrol is here.

This year’s programme includes new courses including a Cardiothoracic and Vascular Workshop, Limb Exploration and Microsurgery, and an accredited Certificate in Simulation-based Training in Human Factors in Patient Safety. The programme also includes a new series of courses in both urgent care medicine and in medical science and pathology.

Now entering its 12th year, the CPD-SS helps NCHDs who are not on a structured training scheme to maintain their professional competence in line with Medical Council requirements. Nearly 800 doctors took part in last year’s programme which provides a structured means of achieving 20 external CPD credits.

This year RCSI has expanded the programme by up to 30% and will offer over 125 courses in the National Surgical and Clinical training centre in Dublin, in the new regional centres and online. Participants are being offered an expanded selection of classes in surgical skills and emergency medicine while also providing classes in clinical audit, quality improvement processes, research and ethics, IT skills, social media, personal development and a range of e-learning activities.

The full programme of courses will be launched during August 2022 and those that enrol early will have exclusive access to September 2022 CPD-SS courses.

Mr Gabriel Osri, a previous participant, said: "The CPD Support Scheme is an excellent tool for the training surgeon. It provides guided learning opportunities and facilitates continuous progression. The courses are thoughtfully organised and masterfully ministered."

Mr Kieran Ryan, Managing Director, RCSI Surgical Affairs, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has, like nothing before, required everyone in Irish surgery to adapt and rethink how they must approach their own safety and the care of their patients. The 2022/23 programme has been developed to allow NCHDs to broaden their skills across a range of important areas and is reflective of the enormous change we’ve seen in the past two years.”

To apply for the CPD-SS programme, NCHDs need to have a current HSE NCHD contract, be on the General Division or Supervised Division of the Medical Council Register and be enrolled with the RCSI annual Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) for 2022/2023.

Since 1 May 2011, it has been mandatory for all doctors to register with a PCS run by one of the postgraduate training bodies. RCSI has been designated by the Irish Medical Council to run PCS for surgery and emergency medicine.

Information on the CPD-SS, including how to enrol, is available here. The scheme runs until April 2023.

RCSI is grateful to HSE NDTP for their continued support for this innovative programme which is designed to enhance the clinical knowledge and skills of all NCHDs. More information about the work of NDTP and other supports available to NCHDs is accessible here.