By Gary Culliton
gary.culliton@imt.ie
As the term of office of the current group of Clinical Directors (CDs) comes to an end, there is a “distinct possibility” that many may not present themselves for reappointment as a result of the unsustainable workload that they have been obliged to carry over the past two years, the Annual Report of the National Council of the IHCA has stated.
The Association is concerned that many of the support structures that were to have been provided to CDs have yet to be delivered. The failure to provide (part) locum cover, comprehensive secretarial assistance and managerial support has resulted in “an inordinate workload being placed on Clinical Directors”, the latest Annual Report of the Association has stated.
The executive authority which Clinical Directors were to exercise has been withheld, the IHCA report claimed. “Too often, they have been put forward as spokespersons by the HSE to defend cuts or adverse incidents. Executive authority must be devolved to CDs, otherwise this crucial element of the contract will fail,” it added. It was agreed that Council members should meet with the wider Clinical Directors Group on a quarterly basis.
The IHCA holds its Annual Conference on October 2 in the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare, Co Limerick.
The HSE has pledged to eventually fill over a hundred new CD positions across the health service. There was initially considerable interest in taking up the posts, which are two-year appointments and entail an allowance of an extra €50,000 per year, as well as enhanced pension entitlements.
Every consultant who takes up the new contract will have to report to a Clinical Director.