To ask the Minister of Health to detail the timeline for mutual recognition of training on a cross-border basis to ensure doctors from Northern Ireland are able to apply for the full range of consultant posts, notably in paediatric cardiology.

The General Medical Council (GMC) continues to recognise the qualifications of doctors who qualified for full registration in the Republic of Ireland provided they are continued on its list of acceptable GP and specialist qualifications.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) Paediatric Cardiology speciality qualification is not on this list. However, on 15 May 2024, the GMC launched its Recognised Specialist Qualification (RSQ) pathway which provides a new route for assurance as to a doctor’s knowledge, skills and experience for registration.

RCPI are currently engaging with the GMC to understand the requirements for their specialty qualification to be included in the GMC’s list.