Council report will highlight need for 'workforce strategy'

DAVID LYNCH

The Medical Council's upcoming Medical Workforce Intelligence Report 2021, "will definitely highlight the need for a workforce strategy for healthcare," the Council's CEO Mr Leo Kearns stated earlier this month.

Speaking on 8 April at the Medical Professionalism Conference 2022, hosted by the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mr Kearns ended his presentation with a slide and comments on the still unpublished report.

Mr Kearns said "this year what we are attempting to do is to identify what those key risks are relating to patient safety and the key strategic actions needed to address those risks... and it will definitely highlight the need for a workforce strategy for healthcare".

Earlier in his talk, Mr Kearns said a comprehensive medical workforce strategy was required. The strategy should address “immediate critical issues” such as European Working Time Directive compliance and medium- to long-term requirements in regard to consultant numbers and the ratio of trainee to non-trainee doctors.

A Medical Council spokesperson told the Medical Independent that the new Medical Workforce Intelligence Report is due to be published in "early May".

According to Mr Kearns’ slides, the upcoming report will set out the “critical risks to patient safety emerging from the

NDTP has commenced review of consultant recruitment in model 3 hospitals

HSE National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP) has commenced a review of consultant recruitment difficulties in model 3 hospitals, led by its Medical Director Dr Brian Kinirons, according to the Executive.

NDTP has appointed a project manager and formed a representative steering group, a spokesperson added.

The HSE National Service Plan 2022 committed to compiling a report to “address consultant recruitment and retention challenges in model 3 hospitals through a structured review with recommended actions for implementation”.

The NDTP’s Medical Workforce Report 2020-2021 noted “significant challenges” for model 3 hospitals in regard to consultant recruitment. “Over onethird of all consultants working in these hospitals are 55 years old or over, model 3 hospitals are more likely to employ consultants not on the specialist register as well as consultants in non-permanent posts that have not been approved

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by the CAAC [consultant applications advisory committee],” wrote Ms Leah O’Toole, Assistant National Director, NDTP, in the report foreword.

Of the 4 per cent of consultants working in posts not approved by the CAAC, the greatest proportion of these were in model 3 hospitals, which was broadly similar to 2019, according to the report.

Consultants in model 3 hospitals were more likely than consultants in model 4 hospitals to hold general registration with the Medical Council.

Additionally, the report noted that non-training NCHD posts tended to be concentrated in certain specialties and geographical locations, particularly clinical specialties in which unscheduled care was delivered on a 24/7 basis and in peripherally located model 2 and model 3 hospitals.

“Safe and timely service delivery in the Irish healthcare system is dependent on these posts and the doctors who occupy them. However, unlike training posts, there is not the same rigorous oversight of their numbers and regulation.” data analyses and key strategic actions necessary to support the development of a healthcare workforce strategy".

"It will highlight why a healthcare workforce strategy is required to address recruitment, retention, distribution, and supply challenges."

Also speaking at the RCSI conference, Medical Council President Dr Suzanne Crowe told online delegates that "it is clear that we have to address the shortages in our workforce, we do not have enough people to deliver care and that is a major concern to the Council".

"We are strongly petitioning for a workforce strategy to plan for the future of our health service, because at the Council we want to grow the next generation of doctors and ensure that they and their practice reach the highest standards for them and their patients into the future."

No plans to send medical corps to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries

CATHERINE REILLY

There is currently no plan to deploy members of the Defence Forces' medical corps to EU countries neighbouring Ukraine, a Department of Defence spokesperson told this newspaper in mid-April.

Over five million Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia’s invasion in February, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency.

A Defence Forces spokesperson stated that the role of the medical corps in relation to Ukrainians seeking protection in Ireland “is to assist the HSE as required” should the Executive request its medical support through official channels.

The medical corps will establish an emergency first aid station in Gormanston Camp, when it accommodates Ukrainians seeking protection in Ireland, added the spokesperson.

Currently, the medical corps has 16 medical officers; two dental officers; one psychologist; two members of the army nursing service; two pharmacists; 18 paramedics; 11 advanced paramedics; and 75 emergency medical technicians.

We believe that welltrained and talented gynaecological surgeons are crucial to accommodating Ireland’s increasing need for top-class services in women’s health, and this traineeship is the perfect opportunity to ensure we can meet the growing demand for services in this area.”

The Defence Forces also has a mixture of civilian and agency staff that assist across numerous roles (psychiatry, nursing, laboratory, dental, pharmacy, physiotherapy, general practice).

The primary focuses of the medical corps are occupational medicine; primary care; aid to the civil authority (eg, councils, HSE); review of pandemic-related policies and procedures; continuance of medical training within the Defence Forces and with external providers and partners.

In early April, the Department of Health issued an update on a range of medical supplies and equipment sent to Ukraine, with further donations planned. The State had also provided assistance in medical evacuations from Ukraine as part of the EU’s response.

An interim HSE health service support model was in operation at Dublin Airport and other ports of entry.

“For Ukrainian refugees placed in emergency accommodation, the HSE has put in place a framework which ensures provision of specific GP services and access to prescriptions.” In addition, Safety Net was providing GP clinics to facilities located in Dublin, added the statement.

Mr Brian O’Mahony, CEO of the Irish Haemophilia Society and haemophilia B patient, commenting ahead of World Haemophilia Week (which began on 17 April). The Society highlighted that, 20 years on from the Lindsay Tribunal Report, procurement of haemophilia medications in Ireland is now seen as the most effective model globally.

Master of the Rotunda Hospital, Prof Fergal Malone, commenting on its accreditation by the American Association of Gynaecologic Laparoscopists to run a Fellowship programme in minimally invasive gynaecologic surgery for gynaecology trainees.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announcing on 20 April that Ms Maura Quinn, outgoing CEO of the Institute of Directors, will conduct an external review into the process of the proposed secondment of the Chief Medical Officer and research proposal, “to examine learnings and recommendations that could inform future such initiatives.”

For patients not adequately controlled on dual therapy with moderate to severe COPD