Recommendations of the NCHD Taskforce published

7 Feb 2024

On 7^th February 2024, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D. published a new report recommending improved working standards in Irish hospitals for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs).

The National Taskforce on the Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) Workforce was led by Chief Academic Officer of the SAOLTA Group, Professor Anthony O'Regan. 

National Taskforceon the Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) Workforce Final Recommendations Report

The report contains 44 recommendations and is aimed at improving the experience of NCHDs and improving their work-life balance, together with responsible leads and implementation timeframes for each. 

Priority Action Area 3 within the Report is Education and Training. The Clinical Educator Programme model is designed to put in place a hub and spoke model across each Hospital Group to support training and education for all NCHDs. The vision is that every Hospital Group will have a Group Director for Medical Education and Training. This individual is a clinician and is responsible for developing and establishing the strategic vision for postgraduate medical education and training across the group. This role reports into both the Chief Academic Officer for the Hospital Group and the NDTP Director. 

Professor Anthony O’Regan, Chair of the National Taskforce on NCHD Workforce, said:

“The launch of this report is an important milestone for our health service. As Chair of the Taskforce I want to acknowledge not only the work of all the Taskforce members, but also the many stakeholders who informed these recommendations.

“We should not underestimate the scale of the challenges ahead. NCHDs are our future healthcare leaders, and it is in all our interests that we provide a supportive environment and culture to maximise each individual’s career progression. We are confident that this report provides the roadmap for a sea-change in Irish Medical Training.”

Dept of Health Press Release

Minister for Health says it's critical the recommendations of the NCHD Taskforce are progressed as a matter of urgent priority

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/671ad-minister-for-health-says-its-critical-the-recommendations-of-the-nchd-taskforce-are-progressed-as-a-matter-of-urgent-priority/

For more on this story contact:

Anna Toner, Manager, Academic Health Sciences

AHS office Email ahs@ucc.ie