Royal College of Physicians of Ireland History & Membership

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), known in Irish as Coláiste Ríoga Lianna na hÉireann, is a prestigious professional body dedicated to the advancement of general medicine and various medical specialties. Its primary mission is to improve medical practice through the rigorous accreditation of physicians via examination.

History and Evolution

The institution's journey began in 1654 when it was founded by John Stearne, a professor and registrar at Trinity College Dublin. Initially named "The Fraternity of Physicians of Trinity Hall," its primary purpose was to regulate medical practice within Ireland.

The "Royal" designation was acquired through charters granted by King Charles II in 1667 and subsequently by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1692. Until 1890, the body was known as the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland, before adopting its current title under a charter from Queen Victoria.

The College Premises and Heritage

After moving from Trinity Hall following the 1692 charter, the College operated without a permanent home until 1812, when it established headquarters within Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital. In 1860, the college purchased the Kildare Street Club premises. Although the building was destroyed by fire in November 1860, it was rebuilt and opened in 1864, serving as the College's home ever since. Since 2011, these premises have also housed the Apothecaries' Hall of Ireland.

A cornerstone of the institution is Dun's Library, founded in 1713 through a bequest from Sir Patrick Dun. This library is now part of the Heritage Centre, which houses an extensive collection of manuscripts and printed materials detailing the history of medicine and medical education in Ireland.

Leadership and Presidents

The College has been led by many distinguished figures, including Sir Patrick Dun, Robert James Graves, and Sir Dominic Corrigan. A significant milestone occurred in October 2017 when Professor Mary Horgan was elected as the first woman President in the College's history. She was later re-elected in September 2020 as the 142nd President, becoming the first person to serve a second consecutive term since 1894.

Membership and Professional Qualifications

The RCPI provides the postgraduate Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) qualification. This is distinct from the MRCP(UK) qualification. To obtain Membership, candidates must typically pass two parts of the Membership Examination and attend a conferring ceremony, granting them the right to use the post-nominal MRCPI.

The College operates examination centers not only in Ireland but also internationally in Malaysia, Oman, India, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Furthermore, the UK's General Medical Council (GMC) recognizes five RCPI qualifications for the purposes of full GMC registration.

Fellowship

Fellowship is a higher honor awarded to doctors of consultant or equivalent status upon nomination by two existing fellows. In a progressive move in 1915, the college updated its regulations to allow women to become fellows.