Regulatory and Professional Discipline – key developments in 2025

Below we have highlighted a number of key developments in areas such as the establishment of a Commission of Investigation, updates to the Medical Council procedures to investigate complaints, updated guidance on safe prescribing and dispensing of controlled drugs, safeguarding of adults and organ donation.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland - Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (the ‘NMBI’) published an updated Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for registered nurses and registered midwives (the ‘Code’) in February 2025. The Code, which replaced previous editions published in May 2021 and December 2014, has been drafted to reflect the changing landscape of the profession, healthcare system and broader society. The Code also replaces a number of previous publications including, the Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (2015), Ethical Conduct in Research (2015), Recording Clinical Practice (2015) and Social Media and Social Networking (2013). The Code sets out six key principles, a value statement detailing each principle and standards of conduct which when taken collectively amount to what good practice looks like. The Code also provides helpful guidance for registrants on the use of social media. The Code can be accessed here NMBI - Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.

Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland

In March 2025, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (the ‘GRAI’) was established on foot of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The GRAI is responsible for regulating and licensing all gambling providers in Ireland and has a wide range of powers to regulate both in person and online gambling. The GRAI also regulates lotteries, with the exception of the National Lottery. The role of the GRAI is to regulate the gambling industry, protect the public from gambling harm and raise awareness of the potential dangers of gambling. The GRAI website can be accessed here Home | Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.

Medical Council and Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland - Joint Guidance on Safe Prescribing and Dispensing of Controlled Drugs

In April 2025, the Medical Council and Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (‘PSI’) issued an updated Joint Guidance on Safe Prescribing and Dispensing of Controlled Drugs (the ‘Guidance’). The Guidance was updated to reflect legislative amendments in the intervening years since first publication in 2017. The Guidance which aims to ensure safer prescribing and dispensing of controlled drugs, sets out obligations for both medical practitioners and pharmacists to ensure the safe and responsible management of controlled drugs for patients. Medical Council & PSI Guidance on Safe Prescribing… | Carson McDowell.

Medical Council – Update to Process to Investigate Complaints

In May 2025, a number of provisions of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020 were commenced. The sections which have been commenced focus on updates to the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 and the way in which complaints are investigated at the preliminary or initial stage of the Medical Council complaints investigation process. Complaints received by the Medical Council after 06 May 2025 will now be subject to initial review by the CEO of the Medical Council who must be satisfied that the complaint has been made in good faith and is not frivolous or vexatious in nature. If the CEO believes the complaint is not genuine, it may be rejected with the CEO notifying the complainant in writing of the reasons for the rejection of the complaint. The Preliminary Proceedings Committee have been given wider powers and may now request undertakings or consents from medical practitioners without the need to refer a matter for inquiry, removing the need for a full hearing. Information on the Medical Council complaints process can be accessed on the Medical Council website via this link Medical Council - Complaints.

All Adults now an Organ Donor

In June 2025, the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024 (‘the Act’) provided, for the first time, a national legislative framework for operating organ donation and transplant services in Ireland. Until 17 June 2025, it was a decision for an individual’s family as to whether to donate their family member’s organs. However, from 17 June 2025, every adult (aged 18 and over) is considered an organ donor when they die. It is hoped that this change in status will help save and transform lives. To access the full update please click here All adults to be considered an organ donor under… | Carson McDowell.

Effective Safeguarding of Adults

In June 2025, the Health Minister in Northern Ireland introduced the Adult Protection Bill, the purpose of which is to enhance protections for adults at risk of harm and provide a clear statutory footing for adult safeguarding measures. This Bill was introduced following on from the publication of the ’Home Truths’ report by the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland in January 2020.

For our update on the introduction of the Adult Protection Bill in Northern Ireland and the Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017 in Ireland, please click Effectively Safeguarding Adults | Carson McDowell.

Commission of Investigation Established

In July 2025, a Commission of Investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in all day and boarding schools was established. Following a scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in day and boarding school run by religious orders, a report was prepared detailing that 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse were made in schools operated by religious orders in Ireland, against 844 alleged abusers between the years 1927 - 2013. The Commission is to complete its work and report within 5 years, with a requirement that an interim report be published after 2 years. The Minister for Education has promised that the Commission will not be subject to endless extensions, and the approach of the Commission will be survivor centred and a non-adversarial process. For our full update, please click here: Commission of Investigation into allegations of… | Carson McDowell.

Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Decision Making

In November 2025, the Medical Council published a helpful Position Statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) in clinical decision making. The Position Statement sets out key considerations that medical practitioners must take into account to ensure the responsible use of AI in clinical settings and stipulates that the integration of AI must be supported by commitment to patient safety, professional integrity and maintaining public trust. For our full update, please click here Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) in clinical decision… | Carson McDowell.

Medical Council Guidance on the Prescription and Administration of Botox

Also in November 2025, the Medical Council published a Statement on the prescribing and administration of Botulinum Toxin (‘Botox’). The Statement is a helpful tool to assist medical practitioners in understanding their professional and legal responsibilities when administering Botox. It is important that practitioners remember that as Botox is considered a prescription only medicine in Ireland, it should only be administered by a registered doctor, a registered dentist or “others” such as registered nurses, acting in accordance with the “directions” of a doctor or dentist. Medical Council issues guidance on the prescription… | Carson McDowell.

If you would like any further information or advice on the information mentioned within this article, please contact Sinéad Keavey, Leigh Linton, or Ciara Hanratty from our Healthcare team.

*This information is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute, nor should be regarded as, a substitute for taking legal advice that is tailored to your circumstances.