The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has given a “guarded welcome” to a change in policy that will allow international doctors to access training pathways that were previously only available to EU citizens.

According to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, this change will make it easier for non-EU citizens to progress their careers here.

Until now, EU/EEA community preference was applied by the Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies at the request of the HSE and Department of Health, as part of the national policy of self-sufficiency.

This latest decision is based on a review of the policy undertaken by the Department of Health. Minister Donnelly now intends to amend the policy to include all Stamp 4 visa holders.

Stamp 4 visa holders have permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period subject to conditions and Stamp 4 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

From now on, available specialist training places will be allocated in the first instance to those candidates who, at the time of application, are citizens of Ireland or nationals of another EU member state, Stamp 4 Visa Holders and UK nationals.

“The policy change is supported by our training bodies, the chief academic officers at our hospital groups and many advocates for equality in our health service. I will continue to work with the HSE and the Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies to increase the number of available training places in line with medical workforce planning requirements,” Minister Donnelly said.

The news was welcomed by the IMO, which has campaigned on this issue for many years. However, it warned that “key questions remain”.

It said that it would be seeking clarity on the timescale for the implementation of the new proposals, and when the number of new training places would be increased to cater for the increased numbers now eligible to participate.

“The IMO has campaigned and worked on this issue for a number of years so we are pleased with the news as a first step forward. However, we need to see exactly what is being proposed and whether the proposals adequately address all key issues, including length of residency in the country and the number of training places being provided.

“We are long past the time to ensure international doctors are valued and respected for the invaluable service they are delivering within the Irish health services,” commented chair of the IMO’s NCHD International Doctors Group, Dr Naveed Abbas.

For more information on Stamp 4 visas, click here.