Dermatology education for GPs in Ireland
Primary Care Dermatology Society of Ireland
Welcome to the Primary Care Dermatology Society of Ireland - supporting GPs across Ireland with practical dermatology education and a network of peers.
Annual membership of the society costs €40.
Upcoming Meetings
- Date
- Thursday 4 – Saturday 6 March 2027
- Venue
- Galmont Hotel, Galway
Our annual conference: keynote lectures, exhibition area and member networking over three days in Galway. Focussed sessions on acne and dermoscopy.
PCDSI Annual Meeting 2028
- Date
- Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 March 2028
- Venue
- Silver Springs Hotel, Cork
Three days of primary care dermatology teaching, case-based discussion and the society's AGM, hosted at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork.
Membership
PCDSI membership is open to general practitioners, GP trainees, and primary care clinicians with an interest in dermatology across Ireland.
Benefits of membership
- Access to all PCDSI webinars, live and recorded
- Reduced rates for study days and conferences
- Full archive of member lectures and presentation slides
- Practical, primary-care focused dermatology teaching from experienced GPs
- A network of colleagues with a special interest in skin disease
- Support for CPD and quality improvement in your practice
PCDSI Committee
The society is run by a volunteer committee of practising primary care clinicians.
Dr John Flanagan
Chairperson
Dr Finbar Fitzpatrick
Treasurer
Dr Conor Brosnan
Secretary
Dr Siobhan Twohig
Programme Director
Dr David Buckley
Committee Member
Dr Paul Cooper
Committee Member
Dr Claire Brennan
Committee Member
Dr Vicki Marchant
Committee Member
Dr John Veitch
Committee Member
Dr Aisling Farrell
Committee Member
Our origins
The Primary Care Dermatology Society of Ireland (PCDSI) developed from the shared vision of a small group of Irish GPs who, during the 1990s, recognised the growing importance of dermatology in general practice and the need for greater education and training in this area.
Inspired by the Diploma in Practical Dermatology in Cardiff, established by Professor Ronald Marks and Professor Andrew Finlay, and the formation of the UK Primary Care Dermatology Society in 1994, these GPs began organising educational meetings throughout the country. The first primary care dermatology meeting in Ireland took place in Dublin in 1996, focused on cryosurgery and was led by Dr David Buckley. This was then followed by a Primary Care Dermatology meeting at Hayfield Manor, Cork, hosted by Dr Hilda Fennell O'Shea.
These early meetings brought together a growing network of like-minded doctors. Drs Hilda Fennell O'Shea, David Buckley, Johnny Loughnane, George Roberts, Mel Gorman, Michael Kelleher, Bernie O'Leary and others played a pivotal role in laying the foundations of the Society. Initially operating as the Irish branch of the UK Primary Care Dermatology Society, the group continued to grow until 2010, when the PCDSI was established as a separate educational charity, holding its inaugural meeting at the Galway Bay Hotel.
Throughout its development, the Society has benefited enormously from the encouragement and support of consultant dermatology colleagues. We particularly acknowledge Dr Cal Condon and the late Professor Sarah Rogers, whose generosity and support were greatly valued from the early days.