The IMO has said it is “unrealistic and unhelpful” to assume weekend rostering for consultants in hospitals can be introduced in an “effective manner” without all other hospital staff being rostered in the same way.

The Organisation was responding to an HSE internal audit on the implementation of the public-only consultant contract (POCC).

The audit stated there was inadequate oversight of increased rostering of consultants at weekends and evenings.

According to RTÉ, the audit found the contract did not have a significant impact on the number of consultants available to work weekends or evenings. Of the 2,954 consultants on the POCC in February 2025, 80 per cent were rostered Monday to Friday, 12 per cent on weekday evenings, 11 per cent on Saturday daytime and 56 per cent were on call on a Saturday.

The IMO said it “welcomed” the fact that the audit “dispelled the myth that consultants don’t work on weekends”, as it showed over half (56 per cent) work on call on a Saturday.  

Prof Matthew Sadlier, President of the IMO and Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, said that it made “little sense” for consultants to be rostered on weekends in isolation. “We welcome the fact that this audit shows consultants regularly work on-call at weekends, so working weekends in and of itself is not a problem.”

“However, it is unrealistic and unhelpful to assume this can happen effectively without all other staff in a hospital being rostered in a similar manner so consultants can practice safely with a full team present.”

He said that moving to weekend rostering must include an assessment on how this will affect mid-week services and continuity of care.

“While the POCC has been successful in attracting new consultants to posts that previously could not be filled, we are still critically below OECD averages for numbers of consultants per head of population and have no safe staffing framework in an environment of rising demand,” he said.

“In this context, it makes little sense to introduce weekend rostering if it detracts from mid-week services. If the right resources were available, this could be easily introduced but unfortunately, we are not at that stage yet.”

Prof Sadlier noted that consultants were rostered on a work plan agreed with management, and that while more consultants were now working on weekend discharges, a whole-of-hospital approach was needed to extend this to elective services.

Unrealistic budgeting is having a “hugely negative” effect on the health system, according to the IMO.

In a statement, the Organisation said it was “unreasonable” to expect the system to run on figures that did not reflect the demand of a growing and ageing population, with increasingly complex treatment needs.

The IMO welcomed the publication of a Fiscal Advisory Council analysis earlier this week which “identified bad budgeting” as a key reason for overspending in the health system.

“No health system can balance the books if the financial targets it sets for itself are completely unrealistic,” said Prof Matthew Sadlier, IMO President.

“We are in a bizarre situation now whereby the Government is setting itself up to fail by delaying the introduction of multi-annual funding and setting targets that can never be met.”

He said that it appeared that the Government was unwilling to accept the reality of the needs of a growing and ageing population. “If we want to create a world-class health system, we need to properly resource the system with the right amount of beds and doctors, and we cannot be slaves to farcical yearly targets that everyone who works in the system knows we cannot hope to achieve.”

He noted a recent IMO survey which suggested that 98 per cent of doctors believe cost-cutting measures recently announced by the HSE will negatively impact patient care.

“The IMO has consistently said that if we are to promise a health service that delivers for patients, we must fund it, or else be honest with the public and say what cannot be done within the fiscal restraints.”

He added that the removal of private practice from public hospitals had created a gap in funding. Prof Sadlier said the Government had promised to replace that funding but said it was unclear as to the process for identifying and replacing the lost income upon which the health system relied.

The commitment to a 180-day timeline for reimbursement decisions by the first quarter of 2029 will require more resources, the Clinical Director of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) has told this newspaper.

The commitment is part of the framework agreements for the supply and pricing of medicines the Government recently signed with Medicines for Ireland and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association.

The agreement promises a structured process towards achieving a 180-day timeline for reimbursement decisions by the first quarter of 2029.

According to the Government, this will accelerate patient access to new treatments.

“The real challenge will be about getting the assessments done, to get the price negotiations done in that narrow time frame,” Prof Michael Barry told the Medical Independent (MI) at the recent AXIS conference on access to medications at the RDS in Dublin.

“But look, we’re moving towards it [the 180-day target]. It’s planned to be introduced by quarter one in 2029. We will do everything we possibly can to make sure we reach that.”

He welcomed the fact that the HSE drugs group and the HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) have received increased resources in recent years.

But the new target would require further funding.

“It will require resourcing, not only for the NCPE, but also for the HSE [CPU] and indeed the [HSE] drugs group,” according to Prof Barry. “For all components of the reimbursement chain.”

Separately, MI asked the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill about the 180-day commitment and resources at the recent Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s Annual Delegate Conference in Dundalk, Co Louth.

The Minister pointed out the NCPE team has approximately doubled over the past two years.

“So already huge resources have gone into that,” the Minister told MI. “And we have to continue to work towards the 180 days.”

See news feature, Accessing medicine in a time of global uncertainty – Medical Independent

There was an increase in the number of positions processed by the consultant applications advisory committee (CAAC) last year compared to 2024, according to the CAAC’s 2025 annual report.

The HSE National Doctors Training and Planning ‘consultants’ division’, which is the secretariat to the CAAC, processed a total of 400 applications in 2025.

These applications include new post applications, requests to restructure existing approved consultant posts, direct replacement applications, and change of contract type requests.

The volume of applications processed increased by 53 applications, or 15 per cent, compared to 2024.

Of the 400 applications, 275 were considered by the CAAC, which was an increase from 225 in 2024.

The remaining 125 applications were direct replacement requests and were processed directly by the consultants’ division.

Of the 275 applications considered by the CAAC, 272 applications were recommended for approval, while three were deferred for further consideration.

The posts recommended for approval by the CAAC included 92 in general medicine, 42 in surgery, 31 in psychiatry, 30 in radiology, 23 in emergency medicine, 21 in pathology, and 17 in anaesthesiology.

The 125 direct replacement post approvals processed directly by the consultants’ division included 33 in psychiatry, 28 in general medicine, 15 in surgery, 10 in pathology, and 10 in obstetrics and gynaecology.

This year’s report highlighted the “significant evolution” of the CAAC’s work since the introduction of the public-only consultant contract (POCC).

The report states that following the introduction of the POCC in 2023, applications in respect of replacement consultant posts are no longer required to be presented to CAAC.

However, posts requiring restructuring from original approval still require committee approval.

“This procedural change represents a significant evolution in the committee’s workload and oversight responsibilities,” according to the report.

As a result, the CAAC’s role regarding replacement posts has shifted from high-volume, administrative scrutiny toward a more “targeted and strategic oversight” function.

“The committee’s focus is now concentrated on posts that involve restructuring, service redesign, or material deviation from original approval – areas where its evaluative and governance expertise adds greatest value,” according to the report.

“This enables deeper consideration of workforce alignment, service reform objectives, and compliance with national policy, rather than routine confirmation of established approvals.”

See news feature in the 5 May edition of the Medical Independent

Doctors at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin have announced an advancement in the identification and clinical use of blood biomarkers for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

BAMBI (Biomarkers of Acute Mild Brain Injury) is a novel study taking place at the Mater, which examines the molecular signature of proteins of brain trauma via a blood test that is taken in the Emergency Department (ED).

According to a statement from the hospital, the test can be delivered in less than one hour and has the potential to improve emergency department patient flow by reducing the need for CT scans for head injuries.

Some 215 patients with head injuries who presented at the Mater’s ED during July-December 2025 were part of the research.  As well as undergoing a head CT scan, these patients also underwent a blood test for traumatic brain injury.  Such a blood test is much faster to administer and return results as well as being less impactful for the patient.  In the study,  this test was able to correctly identify 100 per cent of the head injuries detected by CT scans.  In the future, this could “dramatically reduce” the number of CT scans needed to diagnose TBI.  

The project is being led by Professor Phil O’Halloran, who is a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Mater Hospital as well the Royal London Hospital.

“This research represents a significant milestone in the management of patients with traumatic brain injury in Ireland,” said Prof O’Halloran, who is also the Neurotrauma Clinical Lead for the Society of British Neurological Surgeons and Visiting Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.  

“As we move towards a more personalised molecular strategy in the diagnosis and treatment of TBI, similar to modern cancer care, it solidifies Ireland’s position at the forefront of innovation in Neuro-Translational medicine. There are tangible benefits to patients, clinicians and hospitals while also giving rise to a potential economic impact which we are currently analysing.” 

Five new HIQA reports has found “varying levels of compliance” to standards, across five international protection accommodation service (IPAS) centres.

IPAS centres, formerly known as direct provision centres, provide accommodation for people seeking international protection in Ireland.

In a statement, the Authority noted that its inspectors encountered “examples of good practice”, across the centres. Examples of this included access to health and social services; the provision of education supports and staff members supporting residents to access relevant community-based services and activities.

However, HIQA inspectors also identified areas for improvement. These included areas in the accommodation; governance and management; safeguarding and protection and the identification, assessment and response to special needs.

“For example, in two centres not all residents had a vulnerability assessment on file meaning service providers could not be assured that any such needs were being met,” according to HIQA.

The Authority said  where non-compliance with the national standards was identified, “providers were required to submit compliance plans to demonstrate how they will make improvements and come into compliance with the national standards”.

Reports have been published on: Benbulben Court, Co. Sligo, Eglinton Centre, Co. Galway, Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre, Co. Cork, Park Lodge, Co. Kerry, Knockalisheen, Co. Clare.

HIQA inspects the quality and safety of permanent IPAS centres against the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process (2019).

The new IMO President has called for a major investment programme in new hospitals to address the “estimated shortfall of 5,000 hospital beds” in the country.

Professor Matthew Sadlier was speaking during his inaugural address at the organisations AGM, in Hotel Europe in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Professor Sadlier, who is a Consultant Psychiatrist, said that the shortage of hospital beds was “directly contributing” to the crisis with both waiting lists and hospital emergency departments.

Professor Sadlier also praised the contribution made by “international doctors and all our international colleagues” in healthcare and criticised recent incidents of verbal and even physical abuse against health service staff based on their race, religion or ethnicity.

“The Irish health services and the people of this country are utterly dependent on the contribution of international doctors, nurses and support staff”, he said.  “The thugs who shout obscenities and physically threaten these colleagues bring shame to this country and their behaviour must never be tolerated or accepted.”

Professor Sadlier also emphasised the importance of contract negotiations currently underway with NCHDs; “it was encouraging to hear Ann O’Connor’s (HSE CEO) words of respect for NCHDs earlier today [at the AGM on Saturday] but we have heard similarly warm words in the past without making the progress necessary”. 

“Many years ago, I was part of the team that launched legal proceedings against the HSE over the European Working Time Directive – now the Organisation of Working Time Act.  I am truly saddened that NCHD working hours are still above legal working limits which is not only about the employer breaking the law but also unsafe for patients and doctors.”

Ireland’s first national strategy dedicated to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in health and social care has been launched.  

‘AI for Care’ sets out how AI will improve care across four areas: Clinical care, operations, research and innovation, and public health.

These include faster diagnosis with certified AI solutions that will enable radiologists to read images (X-rays, CT scans and MRIs) faster and detect strokes, cancers and fractures earlier.

The new strategy also noted that AI‑supported discharge planning for patients will help reduce delays and AI will lead to less paperwork for clinicians.

Welcoming the strategy, Mr Damien McCallion, HSE Chief Technology and Transformation Officer, said Ireland is facing ever increasing demands for healthcare as our population continues to grow. “Our use of AI will be pivotal in fostering further innovation and addressing the challenges facing the system.” 

Prof Richard Greene, HSE Chief Clinical Information Officer, said that potential use cases for AI are being identified, “and we have several projects already underway in some parts of the health service”.

He added that the strategy sets out the path forward to build on “this positive work and harness the power of AI to support more areas of the health service in a safe and responsible way”.

The HSE said it will soon publish an ‘AI Implementation Framework’ to complement ‘AI for Care’ and ensure consistent rollout of AI across all health regions.

The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has welcomed the announcement of the initial prototype for the Irish Kidney Disease Data System (IKDDS).

IKA CEO Ms Carol Moore said the IKDDS is “a proactive initiative within the health service to effectively capture key information and improve the identification and management of kidney disease, which should lead to better outcomes for patients”.

In advance of World Kidney Day on 12 March, the IKA is highlighting the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and encouraging the public to learn about the risk factors and seek early testing.

CKD affects approximately one-in-ten adults in Ireland, rising to one-in-seven among those over 50. On its current trajectory, kidney disease is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040. Despite its prevalence, CKD is often described as a ‘silent condition,’ with an estimated 98 per cent of people in the early stages unaware they have it.

The risk of having CKD increases if a person has diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, are over 50, or use certain over-the-counter medications long term. A blood and urine test undertaken by a GP can help assess kidney health. More information is available at www.ika.ie/kidneyhealth.

The number of people in Ireland requiring dialysis has more than tripled in the past 25 years. At the end of 2025, some 2,647 people – including 30 children – were receiving dialysis treatment, with 351 people receiving home dialysis and 2,296 receiving in-centre haemodialysis. In 2024, there were 559 patients on the kidney transplant waiting list.

Ms Moore said: “Behind every statistic is a person and a family whose lives are permanently changed by kidney failure. There is a profound human cost to patients and their families – including the physical and mental health toll of treatment, emotional strain, and significant disruption to daily life.  Dialysis treatment is already costing the HSE more than €300 million per year, showing the urgent importance of prevention and early intervention.

“Dialysis treatment is life-sustaining but demanding, and transplantation, while transformative, requires ongoing life-long specialist care. The burden on patients, families and the health service is significant. Early detection and prevention are the most effective way to reduce avoidable suffering and long-term healthcare costs. New treatments can often help ensure dialysis is not needed.  Our awareness campaign highlights the importance of early detection and treatment. We ask people at risk this World Kidney Day to take charge of their kidney health and get tested.”

She added: “We welcome the development of the IKDDS as an essential resource for improving services for patients and we call for the prototype to be guaranteed multi-annual funding to ensure it can be expanded beyond a prototype.”

Prof Austin Stack, Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at University of Limerick and University Hospital Limerick and one of the leaders in the development of the IKDDS prototype, said: “Early detection of chronic kidney disease is crucial to preventing progression and improving outcomes through timely intervention and effective management. The development of the Irish Kidney Disease Data System, under the governance of the Health Service Executive, brings Ireland to an important juncture and once fully implemented, will mark a significant step forward in strengthening how we understand and manage kidney disease at a national level, and aligning our services with international standards.

“High-quality, reliable data are fundamental to improving outcomes, enabling earlier intervention, and ensuring that health services are designed around population needs rather than reacting at the point of crisis. By enhancing how kidney health is monitored and measured, Ireland has an opportunity to shift from reactive treatment of kidney failure to proactive protection of kidney health.”

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE, added: “I welcome the work of the Irish Kidney Association in raising awareness about kidney health while marking World Kidney Day. Chronic kidney disease is closely linked with other major health priorities, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, and requires a coordinated, system-wide response in the health system including primary care. The establishment of the prototype Irish Kidney Disease Data System reflects the HSE’s commitment to strengthening chronic disease surveillance and evidence-informed service planning.”

The IKA’s awareness campaign has the endorsement of the HSE’s National Renal Office and the Irish Nephrology Society, along with the support of the Irish Pharmacy Union and various pharmacy chains across Ireland. The HSE is also amplifying the campaign’s messaging.

A new planning permission for the development of maternity services at the Rotunda Hospital Dublin is to be submitted. The new planning permission no longer contains plans to relocate the Rotunda to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. 

This follows a meeting between the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, officials from the Department of Health, the Rotunda Hospital and the HSE.

Last month a decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála to reject plans for a €100 million extension to the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, was described as “short-sighted and regrettable”, by the IMO.

According to a statement from the Minister for Health, the application will include critical care capacity for women expanding on the earlier application which was focused solely on infants. The new application will also include an enhanced Sexual Assault Treatment Unit.

The Department statement added that it was the “intention of this Minister” to focus on the future of the Rotunda on the current site, while noting that “it is open” to a future Government to take a different approach.

“Our meeting today focused on the next steps for the provision of modern maternity care at the Rotunda,” said Minister Carroll MacNeill. 

“Working collaboratively, and with the support of Government, the Master will bring forward a new enhanced planning application for critical care capacity for women and babies at the Rotunda as well as plans for a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. I am grateful to the Master for his ongoing engagement with me and with officials in my Department. We will continue to work together to deliver appropriate critical care, as quickly as possible.”

Three doctors have been elected in the Medical Council elections. In total, eight candidates contested three positions in three categories. 

Today the following have been deemed elected by the returning officer:

Specialist Division – Anaesthesia: Dr Ehtesham Izhar Khan.

Specialist Division – Public Health Medicine: Dr Mai Mannix.

Specialist Division – Pathology or Radiology: Prof John Conor O’Keane.

This election took place as the current term of office of one of the directly elected members of the Medical Council is due to expire at the end of May and there were two existing vacancies.

“My sincere congratulations to the three doctors elected to the Medical Council for the upcoming term,” said Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council.

“I know the newly elected members will have a great impact on strengthening patient safety and shaping the future of the Medical Council through their contributions. I look forward to working with all our members over the coming years.

“Council members hold responsibility for making decisions and upholding principles that protect patients and support the highest standards of medical practice. 

“We are very grateful to all those who put themselves forward for election, and I hope all our election candidates continue to engage with the Medical Council in the future. Our thanks also to the doctors on our register who cast their vote.”

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has today approved the publication of the HSE Building and Equipment Capital Plan 2026 and the HSE Digital for Care Capital Plan 2026. According to the Department, the investment set out in these plans demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improved services, increased productivity, and strategic reform in the health service.

The publication follows the completion of the National Development Plan (NDP) review in July 2025 which provided the largest ever investment in public health infrastructure in the State. Following this, the publication of the NDP Review 2025 Sectoral Investment Plan for Health 2026-2030 in November 2025 sets out the strategic infrastructure and digital health priorities over the next five years.

The 2026 HSE Capital Plans are “strategically focused” on enhancing the health service’s physical and digital infrastructure. Capital investment in 2026 will increase “systemic resilience” by advancing a range of acute and community projects nationally, enabling integrated care, progressing Sláintecare, and expanding system capacity in both built and digital environments.

The capital funding in the HSE Capital Plan for Building and Equipment 2026 is €1,327 million and €263 million in the HSE Digital for Care Capital Plan 2026.

Capital investment in 2026 will enable the HSE to progress Government priority projects, including:

• Completion of the construction of National Children’s Hospital Ireland
• Progressing the National Maternity Hospital relocation to Elm Park
• Continued construction of additional acute capacity including bed capacity
• Completion of new surgical hubs at Cork, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, and North Dublin and advancing surgical hubs in Sligo and Letterkenny
• Progressing development of elective treatment centres, known as elective hospitals, in Galway, Cork, and Dublin
• Progressing the design at the six mental health priority sites
• Investment in community care capacity including progressing the HIQA community nursing units (CNUs) programme and advancing additional community bed capacity projects
• Progressing social inclusion healthcare infrastructure
• Investing in infrastructure risk, replacement of equipment, ambulance renewal, climate projects, and essential infrastructure upgrades

Investing in Digital Health to progress projects including:

• the HSE Health App
• the National Shared Care Record
• Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• ePharmacy comprising ePrescribing and Hospital Medicines Management
• Virtual Care, Telehealth, and Remote Monitoring
• Expanding the National Finance Management System (IFMS), the National Staff Records and Payroll System (NiSRP), and eRostering
• AI and automation initiatives (Clinical, Operations, Research and Innovation and Public Health)
• Core ICT infrastructure and strengthening cyber resilience.

Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “Our investment plans for healthcare in 2026 will bring real benefits to people across the country. We’re investing €1.327 billion into new buildings and equipment, showing the Government’s ongoing commitment to better healthcare and increased capacity.

“We’re also investing €263 million in digital health reforms in 2026 which will drive implementation and expansion of the National Electronic Health Record and the HSE app.

“By expanding capacity and building the right physical and digital infrastructure, both in hospitals and in communities, we are advancing the Sláintecare vision to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

 Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler said: “The investment set out in the Capital Plan for 2026 reaffirms our commitment to deliver improved mental health infrastructure in line with national mental health policy.

“This year’s plan prioritises the development of the perinatal mental health unit for new mothers, specialist eating disorder beds for adults, and the progression of six priority acute mental health units around the country.

“There has never been more momentum behind transforming the mental health capital estate, with unprecedented levels of funding being made available to the HSE.  This investment will ensure people experiencing mental illness will access services in safe, therapeutic, and recovery-focused environments.”

 Minister of State with responsibility for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell said: “Older persons’ services are central to strengthening community care through an integrated model that supports older adults at home and in the community.

“The investment set out in the HSE Building and Equipment Capital Plan and Digital for Care Capital Plan for 2026 will support the development of older persons’ services facilities and will increase capacity across the country to help meet the needs of a growing older population.”

Minister of State of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, said: “This investment will support our community services and the development of social inclusion across the country, reducing health inequalities and improving access to healthcare for all, including vulnerable and marginalised groups. It will enable the development of facilities that can support people across the life course, to enjoy improved health and wellbeing.”