About the Institute
The Institute has been an integral part of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland since 1976. The mission of the Institute is to promote excellence in the areas of patient care, professional standards, education and research in obstetrics and gynaecology and fulfils a wide range of complex functions including:
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Acting in an advisory capacity to governmental & statutory bodies in all matters pertaining to obstetrics & gynaecology |
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Responsibility for postgraduate medical training and education in obstetrics and gynaecology in Ireland |
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Responsibility for setting and maintaining standards for the MRCPI (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) and the Diploma in Obstetrics & Women's Health Examinations |
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Assisting in the maintenance of professional standards for doctors with regard to Professional Competence in the specialty of obstetrics & gynaecology, including including the delivery of vibrant educational events |
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Acts as a vital source of information for individuals practicing in obstetrics & gynaecology, sets professional standards and represents its members' interests before legislative and regulatory bodies.
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Governance of the Institute
The Institute consists of members and is governed by an Executive Council, which are elected every three years by the membership. The Executive Council is made up of representatives from the specialty from across the island of Ireland. The officers of the Institute are elected by the membership and sit on all committees of the Institute. The object of the Executive is to pursue the mission of the Institute on behalf of its members.
Officers of the Executive Council
Chairman: Dr Michael O'Dowd
Honorary Secretary: Dr Michael Gannon
Honorary Treasurer: Dr Declan Keane
National Specialty Director: Dr Michael O'Connell
Chair of Exams Committee: Prof Colm O'Herlihy
Chair of Hospital Inspections Committee: Prof Robert Harrison
Associate Dean for BST: Dr Maeve Eogan
Associate Dean for RTP: Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan
Institute Spokesperson: Dr Fionnuala McAuliffe
Clinical Advisory Group and Clinical Management Guidelines
In order to ensure professional support and input to the development of the clinical management guidelines, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists established a group of clinicians working in obstetrics and gynaecology to advise and support the work of the HSE Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinical Programme. The Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) operates under the governance of the Institute. The group provides a vehicle for the Institute and the relevant specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology to ensure structured and formal professional involvement in, and support for, the guidelines being developed. This is critical as the guidelines are implemented.
The Clinical Lead for the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinical Programme liaises on an ongoing basis with this group as the clinical management guidelines are being developed by the Programme Working Group. The CAG is required to sign off on all clinical guidelines and strategic plans emerging from the Working Group. This liaison is important to ensure that the final set of clinical management guidelines reflect appropriate clinical experience and ultimately obtain professional support. Members of this group will contribute significantly to the successful implementation of the agreed clinical management guidelines.
The Clinical Advisory Group of the Institute was set up in 2010 to work with the HSE and the National Director for Obstetrics and Gyanecology to develop and implement national clinical guidelines.
Click here for a list of clinical management guidelines
Events
The Institute runs a series of National Study Days for its members every year. In addition, we circulate the details of external events that may be of interest to our members.
Please click here for further details of events to be held in 2011 and 2012
How to become a member
The Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists offers membership to those who have obtained the MRCPI (Obstetrics & Gynaecology). Membership can also be awarded to persons holding equivalent Memberships or Fellowships of other Colleges, or qualifications recognised by the Institute.
For further information about obtaining membership, please click here.
For the Benefits and Services of becoming a Fellow of the Institute, please click here.
The next Admission Ceremony for the Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists will take place on Friday 24th September 2010. Applicants wishing to take part in this ceremony should submit their membership applications to the Institute by Thursday 20th May 2011
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The Future of Maternity & Gynaecology Services in Ireland 2006-2016
The radical changes in the provision of Health Care, proposed in the National Task Force for Medical Staffing (Hanley 2003), prompted the Institute to undertake this review of current obstetric and gynaecological services and make recommendations about the future of such a service.
This review uncovers much that is undesirable; poor infrastructure with considerable operational difficulties; In some casers very awkward access to facilities for emergency Caesarean Section; Overcrowding, lack of privacy and long waiting times are recurrent complaints, when a prompt friendly services is what is required. For some units, recent technological developments and sub-specialisation, while welcome, makes it impossible for small numbers of consultants to provide the range of services the public knows about and wishes to avail of.
Twenty-two units provide specialist care; all are necessary. There is a wide variation in services they provide, as they are necessarily limited by size and staff numbers. It is clear that proposals about the organisation of work loads and practices, staffing and networks, as well as infrastructure, would lead to a co-ordinated integrated services with the greatest opportunity of access to quality clinical care.
The Institute hopes that policy makers will regard this document as a blueprint for the changes necessary to bring about easy access to appropriate care in complex circumstances, as well as providing the highest standard of care close to home. The Institute recognises that these proposals have considerable resource and financial implications and is of the view that the benefits will prove their worth.
To view the document click here
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Maternal Death Enquiry (Ireland)
Emergent Theme Briefings
CMACE has recently started to produce advance briefings on issues that emerge during the course of its core work that require more immediate clinical and professional attention prior to any final report. These ‘Emergent Themes will be disseminated to the relevant health care professionals.
To download this emergent theme please click here
Saving Mothers’ Lives: Reviewing Maternal Deaths to Make Motherhood Safer 2006-2008
The Saving Mothers’ Lives conferences in March 2011 mark the launch of the latest report which describes the factors underlying maternal deaths in the UK between 2006 and 2008. There are 4 events around the UK and Ireland which will help providers of maternity care and services, both at a national and a local level, to understand the implications for them and the services they provide for women in their care.
Contacts
Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
Phone: 01 8639729 Fax: 01 6724707
iog@rcpi.ie www.rcpi.ie