Faculty of Paediatrics

We are the national professional and training body for Paediatrics in Ireland, working to ensure the highest standards in child health

We are accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland and are proud to meet the strict standards required to deliver postgraduate specialist training in Paediatrics.

Established in 1982, we are one of six postgraduate specialist training bodies based in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

We have over 340 members, who are experienced Consultant Paediatricians and leading experts in their field.

What is Paediatrics?

Paediatrics deals with the prevention, diagnosis, investigation and treatment of medical conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents, from birth to 16 years of age.

In Ireland, there are opportunities to work as a General Paediatrician or a Paediatrician with a special interest in one of the many areas of medicine relating to child health. For example, paediatric intensive care/community child health /neurodisability/oncology/respiratory medicine/palliative care to mention a few. The work is often collaborative with other professionals and agencies to ensure the best care for the child and their family, that is holistic and the care should be child and family-centred. Children may have acute life threatening illnesses or chronic illnesses. Indeed some have non-specific symptoms and signs that need assessment and coordination of care.

Within Paediatrics in Ireland there are, at present, two Paediatric subspecialties for which specific training is available – neonatology and cardiology. Neonatology, is the specialty that provides routine care, special care, and intensive care to new-born infants/preterm infants and sick infants. Neonatologists also provide a national neonatal transport service for the transfer of sick infants requiring medical or surgical care to the tertiary hospitals. Cardiology is a specialty that assess and treat infants, children and adolescents with cardiac conditions. While many other sub-specialties are recognised and practised clinically by highly trained subspecialists, they are currently registered in the General Paediatric Division of the Medical Council.

Ensuring that a child lives as normal a life as possible means that paediatricians need to take into account the mental, developmental and social needs of the child and their families. Advocacy on child health issues and safeguarding are important components of a Paediatrician’s work.

Paediatrics is a wonderful and rewarding specialty with many exciting opportunities.

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