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  The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) welcomes the publication today of the Medical Council’s position statement on the statutory regulation of Physician Associates (PAs). The Association agrees fully with the Medical Council’s view that it is essential that the PA role is defined with respect to scope of practice, and that PAs cannot be seen as a substitute for doctors.     We are also in agreement that the Medical Council is not the appropriate regulatory body to oversee PAs. In its submission to the HSE on this matter in September, the IHCA made clear that a logical and structured approach must be followed and that this would firstly necessitate an appropriate audit and scoping exercise to be undertaken at national level to identify skill deficits in the health service and the most appropriate healthcare staff required to address them.    The purpose of the exercise should be to establish the risks and benefits of introducing a PA role. The next logical step would be to formulate and define the PA’s scope of practice, not just for “day one” but specifically by reference to the role in the particular specialty or clinical setting in which the PA will practise.     The IHCA has submitted that the professional title of ‘Physician Assistant’ should instead be used in order to reflect their role within clinical teams. To do otherwise would unhelpfully blur the distinction between doctors and nonmedically qualified professionals. The Association will continue to engage with the HSE and the Medical Council on this important issue.    It must be reiterated that patient safety and evidence-based transparent clinical pathways are at the core of any reforms to the delivery of public healthcare. 

“The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) strongly condemns grave violations of International Humanitarian Law through the targeting of healthcare facilities and personnel in Gaza, and calls for an immediate ceasefire in the region.

72% of consultants believe in collaborative leadership, yet only 16% feel management seeks their input in decision-making. 76% are very often or always in firefighting mode, with just over 9% having adequate time to forward plan. 63% of hospital consultants report a lack of access to necessary capacity and resources. 72% believe they are making a valuable contribution to patient care, research, and teaching. IHCA President, Gabrielle Colleran: “The path forward requires a new mindset—a shift towards collaborative and compassionate leadership. We all must play our part. We must foster a culture of connection, trust, and respect, because only through collective effort can we overcome the challenges ahead.” A new survey commissioned by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has found that 56% of consultants believe their working environment rarely or never reflects a culture of mutual support, cohesion, or trust, with 76% saying that they are very often or always in ‘firefighting mode’. 

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