Geriatric medicine in Ireland is a dynamic and rapidly expanding specialty dedicated to the health and wellbeing of older adults. It is the largest discipline within internal medicine, with over 150 consultant geriatricians providing care across acute hospitals, rehabilitation units, stroke services, memory clinics, community teams, and long-term residential settings.

The Irish Society of Physicians in Geriatric Medicine (ISPGM), founded in 1979, is the principal professional body representing specialist geriatricians nationwide. It serves as the main advocacy organisation for the care of older people, influencing health policy, promoting high-quality clinical standards, and supporting research and education. 

Complementing this work, the Irish Gerontological Society (IGS) is a multidisciplinary organisation bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, policy-makers, and academics with an interest in ageing and older persons. Founded in 1951, IGS is one of the oldest societies of its kind in the world. It organises annual scientific meetings, fosters collaboration across disciplines, and contributes to policy discussions to improve the lives of older adults in Ireland.

Specialist Training in Geriatric Medicine

Specialist training is coordinated by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) through the Higher Specialist Training (HST) programme in Geriatric Medicine. This is a five-year, structured postgraduate pathway for doctors who have completed Basic Specialist Training (BST) in general internal medicine or an equivalent programme.

The training process includes:

• Clinical Rotations: Broad experience in acute geriatric wards, rehabilitation units, orthogeriatrics, stroke services, community-based care, and palliative care.
• Dual Training: All HST trainees also undertake training in general internal medicine to maintain acute medical skills.
• Structured Education: Regular teaching sessions and study days mapped to the European Training Requirements in Geriatric Medicine.
• Research & Audit: Completion of a research project or quality improvement initiative during training.
• Assessment & Certification: Annual reviews of competence, with certification upon successful completion, enabling entry onto the Specialist Division of the Medical Council Register. Completion of either the UK Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) or the European Geriatric Medicine Specialty Exam (EGeMSE) is also required before training is completed, ensuring graduates meet internationally recognised standards of knowledge and practice.

Meeting the Needs of an Ageing Population

With 15.5% of the population aged 65 or older in 2022, Ireland faces a growing demand for geriatric expertise. ISPGM and IGS continue to advocate for improvements in hospital services, community care, and governance in long-term care facilities, ensuring older people have access to integrated, person-centred services that promote independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Through strong professional leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a robust specialist training framework, geriatric medicine in Ireland is well positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of an ageing society.

Updated August 13th, 2025