RCSI has officially launched the 2025/26 Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme (CPD-SS), a free education initiative designed to advance the clinical skills and knowledge of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs).

Developed in collaboration with the HSE’s National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP), the programme aims to support NCHDs who are not enrolled in a structured training scheme.

To be eligible to participate in these free CPD courses, NCHDs must enrol on the programme before enrolment closes on Tuesday, 30 September. Further information on how to enrol is here.

This year’s programme includes new courses such as Trauma 360 – Simulation for Survival Certificate, Managing Adverse Events, Core Clinical Communication Skills for Aspiring Surgeons, and more.

The programme also includes self-paced online courses, including Good Clinical Practice, Safe Clinical Handovers, Communication Skills for Video and Telephone Consultations and Medical Science for Surgery and Emergency Medicine.

A range of programmes

Now entering its 15th year, the CPD Support Scheme supports NCHDs who are not on a structured training scheme to maintain their professional competence in line with Medical Council requirements. Over 950 doctors took part in last year’s programme, which provides a structured means of achieving 20 external CPD credits. 

This year RCSI is offering more than 140 courses in the National Surgical and Clinical Training Centre in Dublin, in new regional centres, and online. Participants will be offered an expanded selection of classes in surgical skills and emergency medicine while also providing classes in clinical audit, quality improvement processes, research and ethics, IT skills, social media, personal development and a range of e-learning activities. 

The full programme of courses will be launched during August 2025 and those who enrol early will have exclusive access to CPD-SS courses beginning in September.

To apply for the CPD Support Scheme programme, NCHDs must have a current HSE NCHD contract, be on the General Division or Supervised Division of the Medical Council Register and be enrolled with the RCSI annual Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) for 2025/26. 

Since 1 May 2011, it has been mandatory for all doctors to register with a PCS delivered by one of the postgraduate training bodies. RCSI has been designated by the Irish Medical Council to run PCS for surgery and emergency medicine. 

Advancing surgical practice

Launching the scheme, Kieran Ryan, Managing Director of Surgical Affairs at RCSI, said: “We are delighted to launch this innovative education programme that equips clinicians with the tools to deliver more efficient, patient-centred and sustainable surgical care. This initiative reflects RCSI’s ongoing commitment to advancing surgical practice through evidence-based learning, quality improvement and system redesign.

“This year, we will offer over 140 courses through our CPD programme, with more than 40% delivered online as part of our expanding ‘self-paced’ learning portfolio – providing flexible, accessible education to meet the evolving needs of today’s clinicians.

“I would like to sincerely thank our colleagues in the HSE National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP), the National Clinical Programmes, and the many clinicians and educators who have shaped and supported the development of this programme. Your collaboration has been central to turning this vision into a reality.”

Information on the CPD-SS, including how to enrol, is available here. The scheme runs until April 2026. 

Further information about the work of NDTP and other supports available to NCHDs is accessible here.