09.00: Registration (tea and coffee will be provided)

09.45: Introduction: Professor John Browne, Professor of Health Services Research, UCC - Why have we organised this meeting and what do we hope to achieve?

Session 1: Context

Session Chairperson: Professor Anthony Staines, Professor of Health Systems, DCU

10.00: Dr. Louella Vaughan, Senior Clinical Fellow, Nuffield Trust - Overview of international trends in clinical practice that have contributed to the workforce pressures on smaller hospitals.

10.25: Dr. Conor Keegan, Research Officer, ESRI -  Demographic trends and projected demand for hospital care in Ireland.

10.50: Mr. William Prasifka, CEO, Irish Medical Council -  Medical workforce recruitment and retention challenges in Irish hospitals with a focus on smaller hospitals.

11.15 – 11.40: Morning Break

Session 2: Provider perspectives on workforce recruitment and retention challenges for smaller hospitals in Ireland 

Session Chairperson: Professor John Browne, Professor of Health Services Research, UCC

11.40: Dr. Sean Fleming, Consultant Cardiologist, Portlaoise General Hospital -  Cardiology and ICU workforce challenges in smaller hospitals.

11.50: Aine Burke, Consultant Haematologist, Sligo General Hospital - Laboratory workforce challenges in smaller hospitals.

12.00: Dr. Paud O’Regan, Consultant Physician, Clonmel General Hospital - General medicine workforce challenges in smaller hospitals.

12.10: Dr. Martin Schranz, Consultant Radiologist, Kerry University Hospital - Radiology workforce challenges in smaller hospitals.

12.20: Professor Frank Murray, Director, HSE National Doctors Training and Planning - HSE initiatives to improve workforce recruitment and retention challenges in smaller hospitals

12.40: Panel discussion

13.00 – 14.00: Lunch

Session 3: Solutions to workforce recruitment and retention challenges focused on education and training

Session Chairperson: Mr Ken Mealy, President RCSI

14.00: Professor Namita Kumar, Postgrad Dean for the North East of England and North Cumbria, NHS - Postgraduate medical education for rural settings.

14.25: Dr. Carol Norton, National Lead NCHD/NDTP Fellow for 2019-2020, HSE - The role of Irish education and training initiatives in reducing workforce challenges in smaller hospitals.

14.50 – 15.10: Afternoon Break

Session 4: Solutions to workforce recruitment and retention challenges in smaller hospitals focused on skill mix, work practices and the workplace environment

Session Chairperson: Professor Johnathan Drennan, RN and Professor of Nursing and Health Services Research, UCC

15.10: Professor Nigel Edwards, Chief Executive, Nuffield Trust - International evidence on policy initiatives around the smaller hospital workforce.

15.35: Dr. Gabrielle Colleran, Consultant Paediatric Radiologist, National Maternity Hospital – Solutions that will work in the Irish context.

16.00: Dr. Catherine Wann, Meath GP and Chair of Navan Local Integrated Care Committee (LICC) - The role of general practice in smaller hospitals.

Closing Remarks

16.25: Professor Nigel Edwards, Chief Executive, Nuffield Trust - Summary of the day.

16.40: Professor John Browne, Professor of Health Services Research, UCC - Next steps: developing a research framework and network for smaller hospitals in Ireland.

16.55: Meeting ends