Garda Síochána vetting motion will be debated at IMO AGM

The current system is a particular problem for NCHDs, given the rotational nature of their employment.

“The repeated submission of duplicate documents for each rotation is an ongoing problem for NCHDs,” IMO NCHD Committee member Dr John Duddy told the <strong><em>Medical Independent</em></strong> (<strong><em>MI</em></strong>).

“It had been hoped the NCHD electronic record would reduce this paperwork burden but local medical administration departments often require NCHDs to submit paper copies of documents they’ve already uploaded. Garda vetting is one of these and one would think it would make sense to recognise previous Garda vetting for HSE or HSE-funded bodies.”

Another motion, also to be proposed during the NCHD group session, calls on the Medical Council to clarify that its registration applies until the NCHD changeover date in July each year.

“This is a source of annual queries to the IMO,” Dr Duddy said.

“Unfortunately, the Medical Council has not updated its practice to match the NCHD changeover date. My understanding is that registration carries from 1 July through to 30 June of the following year, but clarification of this from the Medical Council would be useful and would end a lot of uncertainty for NCHDs at a stressful time of the medical year.”

Meanwhile, other topical motions include that the HSE recognise the need to have a “separate State service” for the provision of care to violent/aggressive patients and that such a service be agreed with the IMO (GP motions); and that the Department of Health/HSE implement a contract with consultant status for all practising Specialists in Public Health Medicine (Public Health and Community Health Doctor motions). Consultants will debate a motion calling for advancement of legislative proposals with supporting regulations towards reforming Tort (medical negligence) law. Issues of recruitment and retention feature prominently in the motions of all specialty groups

The full list of motions is available at <a href=”http://www.imo.ie”>www.imo.ie</a>.