skip to main content

To access digital services, all RCPI account holders are required to reset your password, edit your profile, and complete Multi Factor Authentication for your account. If you have already completed these steps, thank you. To update your account now, simply click on My Account. Thank you for your patience and support as we implement these necessary security and system updates. Please email Helpdesk@rcpi.ie if you need any assistance from our dedicated IT support team.

RCPI Logo
sign in
Home/News
GDPR guidelines issued for doctors
RCPI Content

GDPR guidelines issued for doctors

RCPI Professional Policy Group for GDPR issues first set of guidelines


The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced with the intention of enhancing the individual’s right to privacy and giving them more control over their own data.

Since its introduction, the GDPR has caused its fair share of confusion as organisations grapple with the new compliance requirements or outright restrictions on their activities. Meanwhile in the medical sector, the concerns have been about the potential of the GDPR to cause impediments to normal medical practice. With this in mind, we formed the RCPI Professional Policy Group for GDPR, made up of clinicians representing various specialties from the Institutes and Faculties within RCPI and legal advisors.

Over a series of sessions, issues that doctors face within their own practice, as well as in dealing with other healthcare professionals, were brought to the table, discussed, hypothesised and evaluated in the legal context.

From these sessions, we developed General Data Protection Regulation and Medical Practice Guideline which summarises the Data Controller Obligations that you should expect to see in your organisation to ensure your patient’s right to privacy is protected.

General Data Protection Regulation and Medical Practice Guideline

General Data Protection Regulation and Medical Practice_2019.pdf PDF size: 681KB