INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON NEXT STEPS IN THE CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE/ CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPC/CPD) REVIEW AND CONSULTATION

PHECC want to thank all of those who attended the in-person CPC Consultation on the 1st of September 2025 in the Killashee Hotel Naas. It was an invaluable meeting. Thanks to everyone for sharing their valuable experience, skills, expertise and knowledge. We appreciated the positive approach to the requirements for CPC, acknowledging the limits of a CPC system – it can only let the regulator know that the registrants are keeping up to date and engaged in their work – it does not guarantee competence.

The meeting raised many issues of concern, good and bad, in the current system and suggestions about how to move forward. We had a good representation from all sectors of the paramedicine professions – EMT, Paramedic and Advanced Paramedic practitioners, manager, educators, researchers from the public, private and voluntary services. There was great demand to attend the session, but unfortunately, we were only able to accommodate 50 people on the day.

We appreciate the great interest shown in the matter and are now sharing the presentations made at the beginning of the day for your information. This includes

·    Introduction by Ginny Hanrahan (video), who chaired the day,

·    Dr. Shane Knox (video), on the history of CPC for paramedicine professions and

·    Michael Guthrie (video), Independent Regulatory Consultant on the work to date.

Michael reported on the international way CPC/CPD is conducted by a variety of regulators of professions, results of the survey of Emergency Medical Technicians and interviews he conducted with several of the assessors on the current EMT audit scheme.

NEXT STEPS

Michael has completed a report on the day which is going to the Registration Committee on the 26th of  September. An interim report will go to the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council on the 16th of October, with a final report and recommendations going to the Council at its meeting on the 20th of November.

We are currently planning a Webinar before the end of the year to update everyone on the recommendations and the Implementation plan. We will be sending out details to all.

If you would like to submit anything that you think would be useful for consideration, please do so, by using cpcconsultation@phecc.ie before the 8th of October 2025.

OTHER CONSULTATIONS

On 23rd of September, PHECC will be sending out a consultation on two new policies - Return to Practice/ Delayed Entry to Practice and English Language Proficiency for 6 weeks consultation until 4th of November– we would appreciate your input.

Ginny Hanrahan and the Registration Team at PHECC