HIQA establishes Covid-19 Expert Advisory Group to support evidence-based response

HIQA has announced details of its new structures to provide evidence-based advice and support to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

Earlier this month, the Government announced a move towards a sustainable response to the public health emergency. In response to requests from NPHET, HIQA now provides evidence-based advice directly to NPHET.

Dr Máirín Ryan, HIQA’s Director of Health Technology Assessment and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Since March 2020, HIQA’s Health Technology Assessment Directorate has been providing research evidence to support the work of NPHET, NPHET Expert Advisory Group, other NPHET subgroups and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, as part of the public health response to Covid-19.”

“This structural change sees HIQA taking the lead on developing evidence-based advice to inform public health policy, advice and practice in the context of Covid-19. To do this, we have set up a dedicated evidence synthesis team and a COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group. This work is in line with our functions under Section 8 of Health Act 2007.”

HIQA’s advice to NPHET is informed by research evidence developed by HIQA’s COVID-19 Evidence Synthesis Team, with expert input from HIQA’s Covid-19 Expert Advisory Group. The Covid-19 Expert Advisory Group is a multidisciplinary group, comprising nominated representatives from the relevant clinical specialities and areas of expertise, methodology experts and public representation. The group met for the first time today — Tuesday, 29 September.

Dr Ryan continued: “This robust process will ensure that public health decisions continue to be informed by rapid access to the best available evidence relevant to the outbreak at each stage of the pandemic. Our work supports the diverse evidence needs of NPHET in leading the national public health response to Covid-19.”

The advice from HIQA to NPHET and the underpinning evidence is published at www.hiqa.ie. The membership of the COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group are below.

Dr Niamh Bambury: Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine, HSE- Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)

Prof Karina Butler: Consultant Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Specialist, Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin & Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee
Dr Jeff Connell: Assistant Director, UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin
Dr Eibhlín Connolly: Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health
Prof Máire Connolly: Adjunct Professor of Global Health and Development, National University of Ireland, Galway
Prof Martin Cormican: Consultant Microbiologist & National Clinical Lead, HSE Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Team
Ms Sinead Creagh: Medical Scientist, Laboratory Manager at Cork University Hospital & Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine
Dr Ellen Crushell*: Consultant Paediatrician, Dean, Faculty of Paediatrics, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland & Co-National Clinical Lead, HSE Paediatric/Neonatology Clinical Programme
Dr John Cuddihy: Specialist in Public Health Medicine & Interim Director, HSE — Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
Dr Cillian de Gascun: Consultant Virologist & Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin
Dr Lorraine Doherty: National Clinical Director Health Protection, HSE — Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
Ms Josephine Galway: National Director of Nursing, Infection Prevention Control and Antimicrobial Resistance, AMRIC Division, HSE- Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
Dr Vida Hamilton: Consultant Anaesthetist & National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead, Acute Hospital Operations Division, HSE
Dr David Hanlon: General Practitioner & National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead, Primary Care/Clinical Strategy and Programmes, HSE
Dr Patricia Harrington: Head of Assessment, Health Technology Assessment, HIQA
Dr Derval Igoe: Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE — Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
Prof Mary Keogan: Consultant Immunologist & National Clinical Lead, HSE Clinical Programme for Pathology
Dr Siobhán Kennelly: Consultant Geriatrician & National Clinical & Advisory Group Lead, Older Persons, HSE
Ms Sarah Lennon: Executive Director, SAGE Advocacy

Mr Andrew Lynch: Business Manager, Office of the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead – Mental Health, HSE
Dr Gerry McCarthy *: Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Cork University Hospital & National Clinical Lead, HSE Clinical Programme for Emergency Medicine
Prof Paddy Mallon: Consultant in Infectious Diseases, St Vincent’s University Hospital & HSE Clinical Programme for Infectious Diseases
Dr Eavan Muldoon*: Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, National Clinical Lead for CIT and OPAT programmes & HSE Clinical Programme for Infectious Diseases
Dr Desmond Murphy: Consultant Respiratory Physician & National Clinical Lead, HSE Clinical Programme for Respiratory Medicine
Dr John Murphy: Consultant Paediatrician & Co-National Clinical Lead, HSE Paediatric/Neonatology Clinical Programme and
Dr Gerard O’Connor: Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital HSE Clinical Programme for Emergency Medicine
Ms Michelle O’Neill: HRB-CICER Programme Manager, Health Technology Assessment Directorate, HIQA
Dr Orlaith O’Reilly: Specialist in Public Health Medicine &Joint Clinical Lead, HSE Integrated Programme for Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease
Dr Mary O’Riordan: Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE — Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
Dr Margaret B. O’Sullivan: Specialist in Public Health Medicine, Department of Public Health, HSE South & Chair, National Zoonoses Committee
Dr Michael Power: Consultant Intensivist, Beaumount Hospital & National Clinical Lead, HSE Clinical Programme for Critical Care
Dr Máirín Ryan (Chair): Director of Health Technology Assessment & Deputy Chief Executive Officer, HIQA
Dr Lynda Sisson: Consultant in Occupational Medicine, Dean of Faculty of Occupational Medicine, RCPI & HSE National Clinical Lead for Workplace Health and Well Being
Prof Susan Smith: Professor of Primary Care Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Dr Patrick Stapleton: Consultant Microbiologist, UL Hospitals Group, Limerick & Irish Society of Clinical Microbiologists
Dr Conor Teljeur: Chief Scientist, Health Technology Assessment, HIQA
Ms Anne Tobin: Assessment and Surveillance Manager, Medical Devices, Health Products Regulatory Authority