Over 70 per cent of consultant rosters were being uploaded to the HSE’s doctors integrated management e-system (DIME) as of early 2026, according to new figures.
Last August, the Medical Independent (MI) reported the HSE had started digitally collecting information on consultant rosters. At the time, a HSE spokesperson told MI the data would be aggregated, anonymised, filtered, and utilised to support workforce and service planning.
The issue was discussed during the November meeting of the productivity and savings taskforce. The taskforce is co-chaired by the HSE CEO and the Secretary General of the Department of Health.
The data collection was mentioned in the context of a discussion on “maximising return” from the public-only consultant contract (POCC).
It was noted that all rosters were due to be uploaded to the DIME system by the end of October. But as of 11 November, “work schedules uploaded stands at 48 per cent nationally with a variation across regions.”
A Department of Health spokesperson told MI that this figure had increased to 73 per cent as of 19 January 2026.
The data is used by the HSE “and overseen by the Department” to understand how consultants are being rostered, assess the extent of extended day and weekend working, support service planning and improved patient access, and inform performance management and workforce planning at hospital, regional and national level.
“The purpose is to maximise the benefit of the contract for patients and the health service, rather than to focus on individual level compliance.”
The objective is that the DIME system will be used to provide national visibility of consultant work schedules, particularly in relation to the POCC.
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