Clinicians at the heart of leadership and governance

Prof Gabrielle Colleran, IHCA President, on what attendees can expect at this year’s Annual Conference

Strong governance in healthcare can only be achieved when clinicians are not just participants, but leaders – from the bedside to the boardroom. That is why one of the central themes of this year’s IHCA Annual Conference is the role of clinical leadership in shaping our health system.

Ireland has adopted the clinical director model, but its full potential has yet to be realised. Internationally, the best-performing systems are those where clinical leadership is embedded in decision-making and service design. If clinicians are expected to be accountable, they must also be empowered with the authority to make decisions. The IHCA is committed to working constructively with stakeholders to strengthen leadership roles so that they can deliver meaningful improvements for patients and for hospitals.

This year’s conference will bring together senior leaders from across the system, including Department of Health Secretary General Mr Robert Watt and HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry. While some discussions will be challenging, our focus will remain firmly on solutions – practical ways of delivering better outcomes for patients and more sustainable services for staff.

We are also privileged to hear from clinical directors with first-hand experience of leadership in complex environments: Dr Ike Okafor, Children’s Health Ireland; Dr Amanda Burke, HSE Child and Youth Mental Health; and Prof Nóirín Russell, CervicalCheck. Their perspectives will be invaluable in shaping how we can strengthen clinical leadership across the system.

Addressing medical negligence

The second major theme of this year’s conference is medical negligence – an area of concern not only for the health service, but most importantly for patients. At present, those who suffer harm often face lengthy, stressful legal battles before receiving any form of resolution. These adversarial processes are deeply unsatisfactory: They prolong distress for patients and families, add unnecessary pressure for doctors, and impose excessive costs on the taxpayer.

The IHCA strongly supports the recommendations of the interdepartmental working group on the rising cost of health-related claims, chaired by Dr Rhona Mahony. We particularly welcome the introduction of pre-action protocols, which would encourage early communication, support quicker settlements, and significantly reduce legal costs. Our recent discussions with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and his officials were constructive and positive and we look forward to seeing this important legislation advanced. The introduction of pre-action protocols would represent a real win – for patients, for consultants, and for the public purse.

Another barrier has been the difficulty in sourcing Irish medical witnesses for cases. While it was sometimes assumed that doctors were reluctant to engage, our research showed that the real issue was a lack of confidence and training. In response, the IHCA has developed dedicated training and compiled a register of Irish-based doctors now prepared to act as medical witnesses. This initiative not only supports the justice system, but also ensures witnesses have direct knowledge of how care is delivered within Ireland. It is a clear example of how the Association is stepping up to contribute to the wider good.

Supporting our members

Alongside our advocacy and policy work, the IHCA remains focused on supporting consultants in their daily professional lives. Over the coming months, we will roll out a new suite of membership benefits designed to add real value for our colleagues.

The Annual Conference, held once again this year at the beautiful Mount Juliet Estate, provides a unique opportunity to combine serious discussion with camaraderie and renewal. Consultants’ weekends are often filled with on-call duties and continuing professional development commitments, so we want our conference to be both engaging and restorative. For that reason, childcare is provided free of charge – now in its fifth year – along with organised activities for children and events for partners. This ensures the conference is not a burden on family life, but rather a welcoming occasion for all.

The Saturday evening dinner is another highlight: A time to step out of silos, share experiences, and take strength from the collegiality and peer support that are so vital to sustaining us in the profession.

Looking ahead

The IHCA itself is at an exciting point in its development. At our core, we remain dedicated to supporting individual members, but we are also expanding our capacity and broadening our reach. With our new CEO Mr Jim Daly and an expanded team bringing expertise in communications, advocacy, and legal affairs, we are better equipped than ever to serve our members and influence positive change.

As part of our ongoing strategic review, we are reflecting on our mission and values, strengthening engagement structures, and developing resources to support consultants relocating to Ireland. Our aim is to make the transition into practice here as smooth and supportive as possible.

There has never been a better time to be part of the IHCA. Together, we are building not just a stronger Association, but a stronger health service – one where clinicians lead, patients are supported, and the system works better for everyone.