CPD & Annual Revalidation for Irish Registered Locums

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is a cornerstone of medical practice in Ireland, ensuring that doctors remain competent, informed, and aligned with the highest standards of patient care. For locum doctors, especially those working independently or across multiple sites, managing CPD and meeting annual revalidation requirements can pose unique challenges.

We explore the essentials of CPD and revalidation for Irish locum doctors, including how to track points using the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) system, how to plan effectively, and what common mistakes to avoid.

Understanding CPD and Revalidation in Ireland

Under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, all doctors registered on the Irish Medical Council (IMC) register must maintain their professional competence. This is done by enrolling in a Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) and completing annual CPD and clinical audit requirements.

All locum doctors (including those on the general, specialist, and supervised divisions) must:

• Enrol in a recognised PCS (e.g., RCPI, ICGP, RCSI)
• Complete 50 CPD credits annually
• Participate in at least one clinical audit
• Retain documentary evidence of completed CPD activities

Types of CPD Activities

Your CPD must be balanced across five categories:

• 1. External CPD (Minimum 20 credits) – Conferences, workshops, seminars
• 2. Internal CPD – Practice meetings, case reviews, morbidity & mortality reviews
• 3. Personal Learning – Self-directed research or reading
• 4. Research/Teaching – Delivering or developing accredited educational material
• 5. Clinical Audit – Completing an annual audit relevant to your practice

Note: Only 25 credits can be claimed from Personal Learning.

How Locums Can Track and Log CPD Credits

If you're enrolled with RCPI, you can manage your CPD through their ePortfolio system, which allows you to:

• Log activities manually or upload certificates
• Automatically track RCPI-accredited events
• Generate an annual statement for IMC revalidation

For those in other colleges (e.g. ICGP or RCSI), similar systems are available, but check that your locum work qualifies under specific categories.

Tip: Keep scanned copies of all CPD certificates and make weekly or monthly updates to avoid last-minute stress.

CPD Planning & Budgeting for Locum Doctors

Since locums may not have the structured support of a full-time role, it's crucial to plan CPD strategically:

• Budget Time: Aim to complete 4–5 credits monthly to avoid last-minute pressure.
• Budget Money: Attend free CPD webinars, workshops, or online modules offered by the HSE, RCPI, or private providers.
• Use Employer Access: Some public hospitals or clinics grant temporary access to internal training; take advantage where possible.
• Consider CPD Bundles: Some locum agencies and colleges offer CPD bundles that meet the 50-point requirement in a single online course package.

Common Mistakes Locum Doctors Should Avoid

• Not enrolling in a PCS: Simply working as a locum does not exempt you from this legal requirement.
• Backdating activities: This is discouraged and may trigger audits.
• Over-reliance on personal learning: No more than 25 CPD points can come from this category.
• Forgetting the clinical audit: This is mandatory, and many doctors overlook it.
• Missing deadlines: The CPD year runs from 1st May to 30th April each year. Failing to submit on time could impact your re-registration.

Final Thoughts

CPD is more than a compliance requirement, it's an opportunity to enhance your practice, stay up to date with the latest standards, and deliver excellent patient care. As a locum doctor in Ireland, being proactive about your CPD and revalidation will help you maintain your licence, boost employability, and work confidently across diverse settings.

Get in touch with our dedicated team as we nurture a community in which locums can flourish and extend exceptional care to their patients. For more information on any of our roles contact a member of our Locum Express team on +353 (0)21 4297901 or email us at info@locumexpress.ie. You can also register online here.