The New Trainers Course took place in Salthill on Thursday, 26 March 2026. GP Training was delighted to welcome 101 new trainers, the largest number ever, to the event. The atmosphere was positive, while also recognising that GP training carries a significant responsibility. The mentor/apprentice model of GP training in Ireland remains essentially vocational.
The day was opened by Dr Cathy Cullen, National Director, and included a full programme of key speakers covering a wide range of topics, from welcoming your trainee, to helping them prepare for exams, and how to deliver a tutorial. Conversation and interaction were a key part of the day, and the collegiality was evident from the start.
The trainees who joined as part of the increased intake to 350 in July 2024 are starting third year this year, and the increase in trainers is in preparation for them. With further increases taking place, there will be a second New Trainers Workshop in the coming months. The date will be announced as soon as possible.
Speaking about the day, one of the new trainers shared that the course was “a chance to connect with colleagues at a similar level and those who have been trainers before.” Another shared how the day put them “back in the shoes of being a trainee again” and they are excited to upskill a trainee while upskilling themselves at the same time.
The National Trainers Conference also took place in Salthill, where 302 trainers attended a positive and educational two-day conference. Dr Sinead Feeney, assisted by Dr Aaron Brennan and the Western trainer group, planned and delivered the conference, with support from the Irish College of GPs administrative team.
The full programme included something for everyone at every stage of the training experience, with art workshops, a keynote address from Prof Andrew Murphy, using GPUs on sepsis and COPD in tutorials, unconscious bias, and navigating the manosphere, to name but a few. Music was provided by Dr Eamonn O’Shea and Dr Brian Lennon, greatly adding to the event, while a few brave souls dipped into the Atlantic across the road and others took part in gentle morning yoga.
The few days closed with an inspiring and informative session on AI, leaving us all looking forward to meeting again next year.