News

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has appointed Jim Daly as its new Chief Executive Officer.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) welcomes today’s productive Dáil debate on the second stage of the Health Information Bill 2024. The Association believes that this is a crucial piece of legislation which will allow for the creation of a fit-for-purpose digital health records system, in line with other modern public health systems across the European Union and wider world.    The existing antiquated physical records model is deeply inefficient, labour intensive and leads to a loss in productivity across acute hospital settings. Our membership is committed to assisting in the delivery of a digital records system across the health service.    We particularly welcome the provision of an indicative timeline for the rollout of digital health reforms by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly during today's debate, with crucial e-health platforms due to come on stream this year and next, paving the way for phase three which will see the rollout of full digitalisation across the health service.    Additionally, it is positive that the proposed legislation appears to enjoy broad cross-party support in the Oireachtas. We will continue to engage with all relevant political stakeholders in the coming weeks in order to ensure that the legislation leads to a positive outcome for both our patients and membership.    IHCA President Gabrielle Colleran stated in response to today’s debate, “In an era of exciting digital health innovation, it is clear that the existing reality of clipboards, paper, pens, pencils and fax machines across Irish hospitals is out of step with the modern world and represents a burden to both healthcare practitioners and patients. We fully embrace vital government efforts to digitise healthcare records in Ireland, in order to improve productivity and patient outcomes.”      ENDS

  We reiterate our deepest condolences to the Johnston family. Their daughter Aoife was failed by the healthcare system.     Justice Frank Clarke’s report provides troubling and telling independent analysis.   On the night of Aoife’s death, the emergency department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) was over three times its maximum patient capacity. Justice Clarke characterised the ED as “grossly overcrowded”.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has supported the Minister for Health’s call to roll out digital health records across the health service.     Commenting on a report today that the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD is making the case at Cabinet level to use funding from the Apple ruling to invest in digital health, IHCA President, Professor Gabrielle Colleran said:    “We fully endorse Minister Donnelly’s efforts to invest in a proper digital health system. In productivity and patient experience terms, it would be transformational.     “Our health system continues to rely on an antiquated records model which is desperately inefficient. It also means healthcare professionals are unable to access and assess patient records in a joined-up, real time fashion.     “Clipboards, paper, pens, pencils and fax machines remain realities in Irish hospitals. IT hardware and software are dated and, in some instances, WiFi is not a given. This is at a time when governments around the world are turning their attention to how generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform health systems, improving patient outcomes and overall productivity. The gap from where we are to where we need to be is stark.     “Digital health records are increasingly the norm globally, enhancing productivity, healthcare outcomes, and service experience for citizens.     “Previous attempts to introduce digital health systems here have been thwarted. Such short-sightedness has proven to be counterproductive.     “Now is the moment to move on digital health records. We have the means. We need the leadership and Minister Donnelly is to be commended to staking a claim for this investment.”    ENDS 

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) warmly welcomes today’s announcement by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly regarding the Government’s plan to bring 30 critically ill children from Gaza to Ireland for urgent paediatric care. 

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has announced the creation of new awards recognising the outstanding achievements of Consultants in the areas of research, innovation and clinical practice in the Irish health service.  

Statement from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) on the commencement of the HIQA review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the Mid-West

Analysis suggests Government set to miss reduction targets by as much as 18%, unless corrective action taken Three main waiting lists may increase by over 74,700 by end of 2024 if current trends continue; an increase of 11% compared with the start of the year; Analysis suggested 14% of the entire population, over 746,000 people, could be waiting for outpatient appointments, inpatient and day case treatment or GI scopes by the end of December; a 18% shortfall against Government waiting list targets; Move this week to cancel essential scheduled care across Mid-West region will exacerbate wait times and could have severe knock-on consequences for patient health outcomes; A record 913,000 people now on some form of public hospital waiting list;  IHCA President Prof Gabrielle Colleran: “The latest waiting list figures have confirmed what many patients in this country already knew far too well; that the Government’s Action Plans have failed to significantly reduce waiting lists, despite millions being spent on the initiatives.” New figures published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) today (Friday 9 August 2024) confirm that targets to reduce waiting lists by 6% this year are increasingly unlikely to be met, according to the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA).

Consultants describe the decision as one of the starkest developments in Irish healthcare in recent times “De-escalation amounts to dereliction” as decision to cancel scheduled care across Mid-West hospitals will have severe consequences for patient health outcomes, and minimal impact on overcrowding and waiting lists; Severe overcrowding and persistent waiting lists can only be addressed by long term and sustainable resourcing, alongside the opening of new beds; Vice President of the IHCA, Mr Colin Peirce: “This decision, described by HSE as measures to ‘de-escalate’, effectively amounts to a dereliction of hospitals across the Mid-West and those who depend upon them.” The Irish Hospital Consultant Association (IHCA) has described the HSE’s cancellation of all scheduled care – elective surgeries, endoscopies and outpatient appointments – for an indefinite period across the University of Limerick Hospitals Group (ULHG), as “unbelievable, unnecessary, and an abandonment of the people of the Mid-West”.  

Response from the Irish Hospital Consultant Association (IHCA) to the publication of the Mental Health Bill 2024.