The Medical Council has announced its statement of strategy for 2014 - 2018. After extensive consultation with members of the public, doctors and partner organisations (including Matheson) the Medical Council has identified six strategic objectives to be addressed over the coming five years.
The key strategic objectives are as follows:1
1. Developing an effective and efficient register of medical practitioners
The Medical Council's overriding goal is to ensure that all doctors on the register are safe to practise by ensuring there are safe pathways onto and within the register which allow appropriately qualified doctors straightforward access to the practice of medicine in Ireland.
Continuing registration will also reflect continuing fitness to practise by proactively monitoring doctors who have conditions imposed and ensuring doctors confirm their continuing fitness to practise at retention of registration, including their maintenance of professional competence.
2. Creating a supportive learning environment to enable good professional practice
The Medical Council wants to deliver measureable improvements in the quality of education, training and lifelong learning for doctors. The Medical Council plans to define and communicate what it means to be a good doctor, shape high quality learning environments for doctors and enhance lifelong learning and specialisation opportunities for doctors. The Medical Council also wants to promote good health among doctors.
3. Maintaining the confidence of the public and the profession in the Council's processes by developing a proportionate and targeted approach to regulatory activities
The Medical Council aims to oversee a more effective and appropriate approach to the resolution of complaints through increased transparency in complaints and inquiry procedures; more efficient systems resulting in fair and cost-effective handling of complaints; and by issuing guidance to the profession in relation to issues and trends arising from the complaints and inquiries processes.
4. Enhancing patient safety through insightful research and greater engagement
The goal is to enhance patient safety through the generation of better research evidence, the provision of information and effective communication with patients, doctors and partner organisations.
Footnote
1 Objectives 5 and 6 relate to the internal workings of the Medical Council and address issues such as resource management, process improvements and measuring performance.
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