Thursday, 4 June, 2026
I am writing to update you about some Joint Faculty developments in 2026. First, I would like to congratulate the successful candidates at the recent JFICMI Final Exam sitting. I would also like to thank everyone involved in ensuring it ran so smoothly; the staff in the individual hospitals, the examiners and the College and Joint Faculty staff.
I would like to acknowledge all the trainees, trainers and organisers involved in the numerous educational events which are occurring during 2026. The monthly Grand Rounds continue and we now have over 3 years of high standard talks accessible through the Joint Faculty website. The inaugural JFICMI Audit Evening is on June 4th, the first JFICMI Paediatric study day is on July 30th and, with ongoing RCPI collaboration, our second JFICMI-RCPI study day takes place on November 4th.
In training news, we are continuing to expand training opportunities in ICM in Ireland. Recent ICU inspections occurred in Letterkenny, Sligo and Castlebar. We are hopeful that they will earn accreditation for modular ICM training in the near future. Furthermore, to facilitate this process, the Joint Faculty and the CAI have agreed that in the future, an ICM supervisor of training in a model 3 hospital can be either (a) a consultant on the specialist register in intensive care medicine or (b) a consultant on the specialist register in anaesthesiology and a Fellow in good standing with the JFICMI.
The Joint Faculty and the CAI continue to review the recommendations of the White Paper Group, relating to the anaesthesiology CSCST title. Following an approach from the CAI and JFICMI, the Medical Council has agreed a revision of the credentialling criteria for pre-2019 consultant anaesthesiologists applying for specialist registration in intensive care medicine in Ireland. The revisions are as follows:
1) The American Board of Anaesthesiology-CCM certification is now an accepted test of knowledge in lieu of the Joint Faculty examination
2) Temporary consultant posts of minimum 6 months duration are eligible for inclusion in the application
3) An application must include evidence of both daytime sessional ICM work (3-5 consecutive shifts) and regular on-call duties in ICM
4) Consultant work done in a model 3 hospital with >/=120 level 3 patient admissions per year can be included in the application.
The Medical Council has also approved a further waiver period of 12 months during which the cost of the application will be reduced to €519.
Of importance to our paediatric intensive care colleagues, the Joint Faculty Board has recently approved the award of “Fellowship of the JFICMI in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine” for doctors who have completed the JFICMI-approved PICM training programme. For further details, please refer to the JFICMI website where updates will be posted soon.
And of importance to us all, a new JFICMI Sustainability Committee has been formed. This is an exciting new venture for the Joint Faculty. We are currently finalising a National Guideline on Sustainable and Responsible Intensive Care Practice which will be circulated and posted on our website.
Research is central to improving patient outcomes and advancing evidence-based practice in ICM. It forms a key component of the JFICMI curriculum. In recognition of this, the Joint Faculty has determined that all trainees must complete a Certificate of Good Clinical Practice. In addition, all trainees on the JFICMI programme from July 2026 will have access to an online Research Primer Course. For doctors commencing JFICMI training in July 2026, this course will be mandatory.
Finally, here are some important dates for your diary:
As we anticipate the upcoming important July period, when doctors enter, continue or emerge from ICM training, I would like to wish you all the best for the summer months in the hope that you all get to spend some time with family and friends.
Kind regards,
Dr Enda O’Connor
Dean, Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine of Ireland