Current News
NDTP launch two annual reports:
The Medical Workforce Analysis Report and the Medical Recruitment and Retention Report
The Medical Recruitment and Retention Report examines various cohorts of doctors from 2016 as they enter, leave and return to the Irish public health system. The report shows the increasing rate of retention of Higher Specialist Trainees. For doctors who completed Higher Specialist Training in 2019, the rate of retention increased by 4% (from 78% to 82%) between 2023 and 2024.
The retention patterns of doctors who have completed their intern year in Ireland remains similar to previous years. Four out of five interns go on to further training in Ireland. The data also shows a trend of a higher proportion of interns going abroad after internship and longer durations of staying abroad.
The Medical Workforce Analysis Report shows the characteristics and distribution of the medical workforce across the country. Data is presented at national, regional and site level to support decision making by a range of stakeholders. The report shows that there are now 4,620 consultants employed in the public health service. The number of consultants employed has increased from 69.7 per 100,000 of the population to 86.3 per 100,000 over the last 5 years. The number of new consultant posts created has declined from 412 in 2021 to 149 in 2024.
Speaking about the findings, Prof Anthony O’Regan (NDTP) said: “These reports demonstrate the growth in the number of trainees and the retention of these trainees. This growth is required to expand the consultant and GP workforces to meet the demands of our health service.”
Read the reports at these links:
Medical Workforce Analysis Report
Medical Recruitment & Retention Report
Key Findings from first NCHD Survey
The first national NCHD survey was launched by the previous National Lead NCHDs, Dr. Daniel Creegan and Dr. Sean Casey. A total of 2,608 NCHDs participated in the survey, out of a headcount of 9,003, representing a response rate of 29%. This is a large and robust sample size, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank each NCHD who took the time to complete the survey.
The insights from this survey are invaluable, and we want to reassure you all that the findings will be actively used to drive changes and improvements. We have already developed a comprehensive action plan at NDTP for 2025 that takes these findings into account. Furthermore, we have provided each region with a copy of its own specific data. This year, we will ask each region to submit a report on the measures they have taken to address the survey feedback.
A summary of the key findings from the survey is provided in this report. You can also access the full presentation by clicking here.
Happy National Doctors Day
The 30th of March is a time to recognise and appreciate the remarkable role that doctors play in keeping patients and our community healthy.
You will find a special leaflet from NDTP that celebrates our doctors, along with valuable information for doctors about financial and educational supports, consultant roles, research and pilot schemes that are underway, the Lead NCHD programme, and more.
Doctors Day Leaflet
Launch of Dual Training Specialties of Medicine Workforce in Ireland Report
NDTP are delighted to announce the publication of this review of the Higher Specialist Training (HST) requirements for the Dual-Training Specialties of Medicine. The report is a collaboration between National Doctors Training & Planning (NDTP) and the individual clinical programmes, National Specialty Directors and the Institute of Medicine. The main aim of this report is to recommend the number of Higher Specialist Training places for the next five years. The report recommends expanding the intake of Higher Specialist Trainees from 81 in 2023 to 117 in 2030. This will result in the total number of HST trainees in these specialties expanding from 408 to 585. The recommendations are based on an assessment of current unmet demand and projected future demand growth for consultants. Current unmet demand for consultants in 9 specialties covered in this report is estimated at 24% and ongoing growth in demand is estimated at 2.5% per annum.
Read the Dual Training Specialties of Medicine Medical Workforce Report and other specialty reports here.
Launch of Emergency Medicine Workforce in Ireland Report
NDTP are delighted to announce the publication of the Emergency Medicine Workforce in Ireland 2024-2038. This expert-informed document quantifies the demand for consultants in Emergency Medicine in Ireland over the next 15 years and outlines the required specialty training roadmap to meet this target and sustain the workforce. The recommendation from the National Emergency Medicine Programme is that Ireland should increase the ratio of patients to consultants in hospital emergency departments to bring the workforce in line with international recommendations. This consultant-delivered service will enable the implementation of enhanced care pathways designed by the clinical programme, as well as HSE structural reforms such as the National Trauma Strategy and the HSE Health Regions. Furthermore, the projections herein reflect the anticipated increase in demands for unscheduled care over the next 15 years resulting from Ireland’s ageing population. The Emergency Medicine Workforce in Ireland 2024-2038 was developed by NDTP with the National Emergency Medicine Programme, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), and the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM).
Read the Emergency Medicine Workforce in Ireland Report and other specialty reports here.
Visit MedicalCareers.ie
NDTP is thrilled to launch MedicalCareers.ie!
This website provides valuable information and resources for those interested in working and training as a doctor in Ireland. We hope this website will inform people about the dynamic and fulfilling work opportunities available in the Irish Health System.
Visit MedicalCareers.ie to learn about:
- Planning your medical career
- The different medical specialties available
- Moving to Ireland to train or work as a doctor
- The different supports, scholarships and programmes available
Visit the website here: www.medicalcareers.ie
This website is a collaborative project between NDTP and The Forum of Postgraduate Training Bodies.
Pictured are Dr Lenin Patrick Ekpotu (National Lead NCHD) and Prof Anthony O’Regan (Medical Director, NDTP).
Launch of Surgery Medical Workforce in Ireland Report
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NDTP are delighted to announce the publication of the Surgery Medical Workforce in Ireland 2024-2038. This report was launched by Mr. Ken Mealy, Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme for Surgery at the NDTP National Medical Workforce Conference. This expert-informed document quantifies the demand for surgeons in Ireland over the next 15 years and outlines the necessary specialty training roadmap to meet this requirement. The recommendation from the various national clinical programmes for surgery is that the workforce should grow from 13.2 WTE surgeons per 100,000 of the population to approximately 19.6 surgeons per 100,000 of the population by 2038 to align with consultant-delivered services, HSE structural reforms, enhanced care pathways, and international standards. The report was developed by NDTP with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, the National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS) and the National Clinical Programme for Trauma & Orthopedic Surgery (NCPT&O).
Read the Surgery Medical Workforce in Ireland report and other specialty reports here.
NDTP National Medical Workforce Conference 2024
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On the 7th of November, NDTP hosted the NDTP National Medical Workforce Conference 2024. Attendees heard from international and national speakers as they explored the theme ‘The Evolving Medical Workforce: Planning for the Future’.
Agenda is available here.
Read NDTP's Annual Report 2023
In this report, you will find the key activities, achievements and initiatives in 2023. These activities align with NDTP's strategic objectives set out within the Strategic Plan 2022-2027.
Read the NDTP Annual Report 2023
Anaesthesiology Medical Workforce in Ireland 2023-2038
Increases in both training and consultant Anaesthesiology numbers projected to 2038 are presented in the findings of a report from NDTP and the NCPA.
Launch of Model 3 Hospitals – Consultant Recruitment & Retention Report
The Model 3 hospital project was established by National Doctors Training & Planning (NDTP), in association with Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), to investigate challenges in the recruitment and retention of consultants across all specialties in Model 3 hospitals and to make recommendations to address the issues identified.
NDTP is pleased to now publish the Model 3 Hospitals – Consultant Recruitment & Retention Report which Health Minister Stephen Donnelly TD is officially launching at NDTP’s medical workforce conference on 9th November 2023.
Quotes from the report include:
“If we do not undertake measures to improve the recruitment of consultants for Model 3 hospitals, it will undoubtedly impact negatively on our ability to deliver safe and effective patient care in the medium term. I am therefore pleased to see that the report makes several key recommendations to mitigate these impending challenges. “
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, Health Service Executive (HSE)
“Evidence of this is clear in the fact that the Model 3 network has more non-permanent posts and more consultants with general registration than the Model 4 network...On our site visits around the Model 3 network, I have been impressed with the ambition shown at multiple sites to deliver a high-quality service. Those whose task it is to recruit and provide this service know, more than most, the challenges that await. “
Prof Brian Kinirons, Medical Director, National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP)
“It is now incumbent on us all to work towards implementation in the short - and medium - term.”
Mr. Paddy Kenny, Council Member, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)”
Model 3 Hospitals – Consultant Recruitment & Retention Report (PDF)
National Doctors Training & Planning Strategic Plan 2022-2027
The National Doctors Training & Planning Strategic Plan 2022 – 2027 was launched on the 11th November 2022 by the Professor Brian Kinirons, Medical Director NDTP.
The strategy is guided by a vision and mission that reflects the role of NDTP in an evolving health service. The six strategic objectives set out in the plan and their associated outcomes, will, when achieved, result in significant benefit to patients and service users. To view the strategic plan, please view at NDTP Strategic Plan 2022-2027
