News

  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.

Professor Gabrielle Colleran began her career in medicine in 2005 and now specialises in Paediatric Radiology. Prof Colleran to focus on pressing the government to reduce waiting times and place an emphasis on the green transition in healthcare.   Mater Hospital Consultant Prof Anne Doherty re-elected as Vice President, alongside newly elected Vice President Mr Colin Peirce, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon at University Hospital Limerick.  Dr Áine Burke, Consultant Haematologist at Sligo University Hospital, elected new Membership Secretary; Dr Vincent Wall, Consultant Anaesthesiologist at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, takes up Treasurer role.  The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has appointed Professor Gabrielle Colleran as President. Professor Colleran will shape the IHCA’s agenda by focusing on delivering additional clinical capacity and emphasising the importance of the green transition in healthcare.    Prof Colleran is a distinguished Clinical Associate Professor in Paediatrics at Trinity College Dublin and Assistant Clinical Professor in Women's and Children's Health at the UCD School of Medicine. She leads the Radiology Department at the National Maternity Hospital and is the Radiology Lead for the National Fetal MRI programme.    A former Vice President of the IHCA, Prof Colleran takes over the presidency from Prof Rob Landers, Consultant Histopathologist at University Hospital Waterford.    Prof Colleran graduated with First Class Honours from NUI Galway in 2005 and completed her Radiology training at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, before taking up a Paediatric Radiology fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, where she served as Chief Fellow in Paediatric Radiology.    With over 16 years of medical experience, including 11 years as a Radiologist and 5 years as a Consultant Paediatric Radiologist, Prof Colleran has published nearly 40 peer-reviewed research works. She is noted for her research on breast cancer predisposition genetics and paediatric imaging techniques.    Prof Colleran is the Co-Chair of the Fetal Taskforce of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology and has received HSE-SPARK grant funding for her research on patient-centred MRIs for autistic children. She is also a member of several key committees and working groups within the Faculty of Radiologists and the Neuroimaging working group within the Neonatal and Children's Brain Consortium Ireland.    Known for her dedication to education and training, Prof. Colleran has received multiple teaching awards, including from Harvard Medical School. She is passionate about improving healthcare access and quality, advocating for patients and healthcare staff.  Living in Dublin with her family, Prof. Colleran enjoys cycling, sea swimming, and yoga. Her academic interests include Fetal and Neuro MR, contrast ultrasound, medical education, and healthcare capacity improvement.    Speaking following her appointment Prof Colleran said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be appointed President of the IHCA during such a transformative period in Irish healthcare. I will seek to advocate for all hospital Consultants in Ireland in a manner which will also aim to deliver profound benefits for Irish patients as a whole. As IHCA President, I will work to advocate for a serious reduction in waiting times for patients, aiming for a six-week maximum. It is simply unacceptable to our membership that in a prosperous, dynamic country, that hundreds of thousands of our citizens are confined to lengthy waiting times which lead to compounded negative outcomes.     “There has been some progress made in recent years, but we also need to take into account the legacy of historic underinvestment in care in this country which presents a series of ongoing challenges to deliver the necessary level of productivity within the system.    “Furthermore, healthcare is one of the leading sources of carbon emission on earth and every health system in the world must work to reduce emissions without compromising patient care. We aim to make the case to government for sensible reductions in energy consumption and a reduction in single-use items where clinically appropriate across the public system.”    Prof Colleran hopes to serve a full two-year term as President, joined by her two Vice Presidents: Prof Anne Doherty, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, who continues in the role; and newly elected Vice President Mr Colin Peirce, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon at the University Hospital Limerick. Also newly elected by the Association’s National Council were Membership Secretary Dr Áine Burke, Consultant Haematologist at Sligo University Hospital, and Treasurer Dr Vincent Wall, Consultant Anaesthesiologist at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork. 

Statement from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) following the approval of legislation on deferred maternity leave:    “We welcome the Government’s decision to approve the drafting of a Maternity Protection (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provision Bill, which will allow women undergoing treatment for serious illnesses to postpone their maternity leave by up to 52 weeks. This legislation is a positive change, allowing those new mothers faced with difficult diagnoses to focus on their vital treatment, and then enjoy quality time with their newborns.    “The Association welcomes changes towards an effective and just healthcare system in a fair society, in which a patient’s full circumstances are taken into account and their dignity maintained when considering the timing of maternity leave.