Medical Council Committees

The Medical Council ensures the maintenance of the highest medical standards by doctors in Ireland on behalf of the public. The Council is advised by a wide range of Committees including those below. There are also several Sub-Committees and Working Groups which report to these Committees. These can be found within the relevant Committee page.

Audit Committee Examines all systems and methods of control and ensures the Medical Council complies with all aspects of the law and good practice.

Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) Considers complaints received against doctors. Where the PPC is of the opinion there is a prima facia case for the holding of an inquiry it refers the matter to the Fitness to Practice Committee.

Fitness to Practise Committee Inquires into complaints referred to it by the PPC. On completion of an inquiry, the Fitness to Practise Committee submits its findings to the Medical Council. The majority of this committee are non-doctors.

Standards in Practice Committee Sets standards in respect of the registration, practice and assessment of doctors to include issues relating to the health, remediation and professional competence assessment issues.

Professional Development Committee Implements Council policy on medical education. It monitors the quality of medical education and training, visiting hospitals and medical schools, liaising with recognised training bodies and ongoing assessment of the Intern year.

Professional Competence Committee Is responsible for monitoring schemes for the maintenance of professional competence. It also assesses doctors who have been referred by the Preliminary Proceedings Committee and Fitness to Practice Committees following concerns about their performance.