Available Supports
Doctors can feel under particular pressure as they are responsible for the well-being of their patients. Receiving and dealing with complaints, clinical negligence claims, disciplinary matters, and other medico-legal issues can add considerably to their stress levels. If you are a member of one of the below organisations, it may help to call on available support systems.
Medical Council
The Medical Council has produced a guide for doctors when a complaint is made about them.
Medisec (for General Practitioners)
Medisec provides a full range of advisory services on medical, ethical or legal queries that may arise in your day to day general practice. Medisec Advice: "With a team of Irish-based experts available 24/7, you can get advice on medical, ethical and legal queries the moment they arise".
Medisec Expert Advice and Support
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (Physician Well-being Programme)
RCPI states: “We understand the importance of caring for the caregivers”.
RCPI Physician Well-being Programme
The RCPI Physician Well-being Programme is designed to provide support and education for Trainees, Members and Fellows. Courses include:
- SafeMed Programme - Delivered 2-3 times per year
- Building Resilence in a Challenging Working Environment - Delivered 3-4 times per year
- Health and Meditation - Healing from the Centre, with Laurence Freeman - Delivered in modules over 9 months.
Medical Protection Society
The MPS counselling service, provided independently by Optum, has been introduced specifically to assist members suffering from stress. Funded by MPS, Optum’s in-house telephone counselling provides 24/7 access to support. Face-to-face counselling sessions can also be arranged.
MPS Counselling Service
For further information about the MPS counselling service, you can contact info@mps.org.uk.
Medical Defence Union
The MDU medico-legal team are available 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and provide an on-call service for medico-legal emergencies or urgent queries, 24/7.
Contact the Medical Defence Union
Concerns about your health or the health of a doctor you know?
If you have concerns about your health or the health of a doctor you know please consider the following options;
The Medical Council has established a Health Sub-Committee which monitors and advises Council about the health of individual doctors who have relevant medical disabilities.
Further information is available on our website here.