A Lead NCHD represents their NCHD colleagues at an executive level within their organisation. The role allows NCHDs to have their voice heard at the highest levels of their local healthcare facility and to gain valuable experience in healthcare management.
The Lead NCHD programme was piloted as recommendation of the MacCraith Report in 2013. Since inception it has grown in scale and Lead NCHDs are now present across most acute hospital sites and community healthcare organisations. Over 700 Lead NCHDs have been appointed over the last 12 years
Lead NCHDs are appointed locally through medical manpower. The Lead NCHDs are supported by the National Lead NCHD Fellow(s), as well as Local and Regional Directors of Postgraduate Medical Education & Training. They are also expected to engage regularly with their local Clinical Director and Medical Manpower Department, and to participate in key meetings where issues relating to NCHDs in their site are addressed.
Lead NCHDs also organise and chair a local NCHD Committee, with representatives from diverse sectors of their NCHD cohort. This enables them to keep abreast of issues that NCHDs are facing in their local site and permits two-way communication between hospital management and NCHDs.
Lead NCHDs are provided with an additional top-up to current educational bursary to support their education in leadership and healthcare management. They are expected to conduct a Quality Improvement initiative within their tenure as Lead NCHD, and can apply for seed funding required. Further training in quality improvement principles is provided through workshops organised by the National Lead NCHDs.
In alignment with the regionalisation of the HSE, and development of the Regional Offices of Postgraduate Medical Education & Training, the role of Regional Lead NCHD has evolved. The Regional Lead NCHD is a senior representative role designed to support and advocate for NCHDs across a defined hospital region. Six Regional Lead NCHDs representing WNW, MW, SW, DNE, DML and DSE have been appointed for 2025-2026. These Regional Lead NCHDs are supported by Group Leads for CHI, GP, Public Health and Mental Health Services. This role strengthens the connection between doctors, postgraduate education, and health service leadership. It focuses on improving NCHD working conditions, educational environments, retention, and professional development, while also supporting leadership and academic progression for the post-holder.
For further information please see the resources section in this section or contact your current National Lead NCHD Fellows Dr Cara Gill and Dr Kathleen Mc Donnell at nl.nchd@hse.ie.
