Three initial sites chosen for model 3 hospital reforms

Three model 3 hospital sites have been chosen to implement a series of reforms recommended by HSE National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP).

An Executive spokesperson confirmed to the Medical Independent (MI) three “targeted intervention sites” have been selected. These are Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; Letterkenny University Hospital; and Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel.

This selection follows the publication late last year of the NDTP’s Model 3 Hospitals Report.

The NDTP report made a number of recommendations including the need for a “robust” recruitment drive for consultants and other staff for model 3 hospitals. The report also recommended addressing consultant workload in model 3 hospitals, investing in education and training, improving on-site infrastructure, and reinforcing links with model 4 hospitals.

In preparation for the NDTP report, a survey of NCHDs was conducted. This exposed concerns regarding education and training opportunities. The survey found only 6 per cent of trainees “express an interest in working in a model 3 hospital”. The NDTP report identified three specialties experiencing the greatest difficulty with consultant recruitment and retention in model 3 hospitals: Radiology; obstetrics and gynaecology; and emergency medicine.

“The model 3 implementation Clinical Lead has recently been appointed and work on implementing the recommendations has begun,” the HSE’s spokesperson told MI. They confirmed that Dr Robert Eager, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, has been appointed as Clinical Lead for the model 3 hospitals project. 

The duration of the project at the three sites will be two years.  

“There are some 27 recommendations within the model 3 report which will be implemented at different stages throughout the project,” said the spokesperson.