ICGP Non-EU Rural GP Programme

ICGP Non-EU Rural GP Programme and why you should be utilising it as a practice!

As a recruiter in the field of Medicine I am highly aware of the need of vocationally trained General Practitioners in Ireland. A shortage of GPs is posing a significant risk to the Irish health system, the Irish College of General (ICGP) practitioners warned recently. A growing population with longer life expectancy is resulting in increased demand for primary care at a time when many older doctors are due to retire.

An initiative that aims to ease these challenges. The ICGP is seeking to attract at least 100 qualified doctors from overseas to rural practices this year as part of a two-year supervised work programme. At the end of it, the plan is that they will fully qualify as GPs in the Irish system, stay in their new communities and, if they want to, treat publicly funded patients in practices of their own. So where is the problem?

Attracting over 100 hundred doctors to be ready to fulfil the role is easy. Getting practices on board to support the training requirements is not! Unfortunately a lot of practices are choosing to ignore this route as they don’t have the time needed or are not willing to review the requirements to ensure they are planning for the future of their practice.

But there is GOOD news!! Thinking of taking on another GP to support your extra work load? In need some time off soon and don’t want to hire a locum?

The criteria for GP practices to host, support and employ a non-EU GP in this programme are extensive! It is relatively easy and should in theory be a simple check box exercise!

1. At least one GP in the practice must hold a GMS contract.

2. All the GPs in the practice should be members of the ICGP, in good standing.

3. All GPs in the practice must be enrolled on and in compliance with ICGP PCS.

4. The practice must have a history of involvement in medical education.

5. The practice should have a designated consulting room for the candidate.

6. The practice must nominate a clinical supervisor for the candidate. The clinical supervisor must:

• be based in the practice where the candidate is located, six sessions (of which
• four should coincide with the candidate)
• be in active clinical practice for a minimum of five years post MICGP
• be on the Specialist Register of the Irish Medical Council
• have professional good standing
• declare any prior or ongoing performance issues with the IMC or other regulatory
• bodies in other jurisdictions.

7. It is a requirement of the programme that the candidate is allowed to attend a 2-day
induction programme and a half day each week (ie, one session), remunerated by the
practice, x 40 weeks per year, for self-directed learning.

The good news is!

• You get an extremely qualified candidate willing to grow and learn the Irish System
• You have a GP in contract for at least two years
• The GP will be eligible for specialist registration and a GMS list after completion of the programme
• In some cases the candidate can be on a lower average salary compared to other doctors not working on the Specialist Registrar
• And many many more!!

For more information on how to recruit a Non-EU GP for the programme and any other supports you might need please feel free to contact Laura.