The GMC in Northern Ireland - News
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GMC exhibit at the SDLP Party Conference
Staff from the GMC NI office attended the SDLP Party Conference in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast on 5 and 6 November.
GMC staff met with party leader Margaret Ritchie MP MLA and spent some time with her. The staff also spoke with SDLP Health Committee members Tommy Gallagher MLA and Mary Bradley MLA, as well as new MLAs Conal McDevitt and Pol Callaghan. Delegates expressed an interest in the introduction of Revalidation and a variety our core ethical guidance. The conference provided a good opportunity to engage with Westminster MPs, Assembly members and constituency office workers. A range of GMC guidance documents and patient publications were distributed. GMC staff also used the opportunity to engage with a range of healthcare organisations, patient groups and other regulators among the 61 organisations exhibiting at the conference.
Photo above: GMC staff member Alan Walker (Head of Northern Ireland Affairs) pictured with SDLP Party Leader Ms Margaret Ritchie MP MLA.
Revalidation Consultation
The General Medical Council published the response from our consultation on revalidation, along with statement of intent agreed with the four UK health departments. This was marked with a series of events around the UK, including Belfast on 28 October 2010.
Attendees were welcomed by GMC Council Member Dr Joan Martin, before Paul Philip, Deputy Chief Executive gave an overview of the statement of intent and how revalidation will be taken forward towards implementation in 2012.
Kirstyn Shaw, GMC Head of Policy (Revalidation) at the GMC gave a presentation on the revalidation consultation responses. Kirstyn outlined the support given to the proposals plus concerns and issues raised that we will be addressing in the months ahead.
Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland also spoke outlining the commitment of DHSSPS working with the GMC and health and social care organisations to achieve readiness in Northern Ireland for the introduction of Revalidation.
Photo above: Paul Philip, GMC Deputy Chief Executive, addresses the audience at the Revalidation event held at the GMC Northern Ireland Office.
Launch of End of Life Treatment and Care Guidance
22 June 2010
On 22 June 2010 the GMC Northern Ireland office hosted a lunch time event to mark the launch of our new guidance Treatment and Care towards the end of life: good practice in decision making.
The event was attended by GMC Council Members, doctor’s representatives, Chief Nursing Officer for Northern Ireland and other officials from DHSSPS, plus a wide range of patient and faith groups.
The guidance was developed over two years and involved an extensive consultation with doctors, patients and their carers, family members and health care teams. For the first time, the GMC has provided guidance on topics including advance care planning, responding to a patient’s advance requests for treatment and decisions involving infants and children.
A number of local organisations have also highlighted the guidance in ezines, newsletters and websites to increase awareness of its availability.
Photo above: Dr John Jenkins, GMC Council Member pictured with Dr Bob Martin member of the GMC End of Life Treatment and Care Working Group and Jane O’Brien GMC Assistant Director.