HSE Doctors Training and Planning Unit seeks Aspire proposals

The HSE National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP) unit has launched the call for Aspire proposals from potential supervisors for post CSCST fellowships.  Successful proposals will be selected as Aspire Fellowships.

The HSE NDTP in conjunction with HSE Acute Operations launched the NDTP Aspire Fellowship Awards in 2017 with an aim of stimulating the creation and introduction of six fully funded supernumerary post CSCST fellowships.

 In July 2018 two further Aspire fellowships funded by the NDTP in conjunction with the mental health directorate were introduced.

This year proposals will be assessed on relevance to service requirements, quality/ innovative nature of fellowship, relevance of non-clinical component, and the existence of similar/existing fellowships.

 NDTP funds the successful proposals and provides them with an SpR salary at the highest point of scale and headcount for the duration of the fellowship and eligibility to access the higher specialist training fund during the fellowship.

 “To the Aspire Fellows, it offers an opportunity to undertake world-class post-HST clinical training in Ireland in a sub-specialist niche area of specialty, and to acquire skills which may be unavailable as a HST trainee,” said Prof Frank Murray, Director, HSE NDPT.

 “It permits world class fellowship training in Ireland without the need to move overseas. Aspire fellows may also enhance their research, audit, management and leadership skills. It also both improves competitiveness for consultant roles, and improves transition to these roles.”

The eight successful 2021 Aspire Fellowships will be announced early in 2021. The 2021 Aspire Fellowships will then be advertised to doctors that have received CSCST from an Irish PGTB but will be no more than 3 years post CSCST in July 2021.

Closing date for entries is 5pm on Monday, 14 September 2020. The application form and guidance document can be found at hse.ie/postcscst.