Professor Kieran Murphy introduces the Summer Edition of the eNewsletter which focuses on the the recent commencement of Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, relating to professional competence.

Mr Marcus Balfe, Acting CEO outlines a number of operational updates including the commencement of Part 11 of the MPA 2007 and welcomes Dr Paul Kavanagh to the Executive.

Following almost a decade of consultation, research and piloting of methods, there is now a step-change in the Medical Council's work on the maintenance of professional competence.

Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 places a new duty on registered medical practitioners in Ireland. Now that the countdown has commenced, what are the next steps?

The challenge for medical regulators is to establish intelligent and transparent professional accountability arrangements which maintain the unique trust which underpins the relationship between the public and medical practitioners.

With the case for change made, what exactly does Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 mean and what work is happening to bring about change?

Dr Paul Kavanagh took up post as Head of the Medical Council's Professional Competence Section in June 2010. Paul appointment coincides with the recent commencement of Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007.

Professor Anthony Cunningham is a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine in Beaumont Hospital and is a Professor of Anaesthesia in the RCSI.

On the 29th of June, a reception was held in Kingram House to acknowledge the valuable contribution of Medical Council Committees and Working Groups.

The Medical Council receives approximately 300 complaints each year in relation to doctors. Here, an example is given of such a complaint which led to a Fitness to Practise inquiry.