Psychologist, Senior Paediatrics, University Hospital

Cork University Hospital

Cork University Hospital (CUH) is a model 4 tertiary referral centre and the only Level 1 trauma centre in the Republic of Ireland. It is unique in that there are more than 40 different medical and surgical specialties on the campus. It is the largest HSE hospital in the state and also includes two community inpatient units (St. Finbarr’s Hospital Rehabilitation Unit and Riverstick Transitional Care Unit), a nursing home (St. Josephs) and a range of satellite outpatient and administration units. CUH sits geographically within the HSE South West area, although it serves patients from the southern 1/3rd of Ireland and from 3 other RHAs.

CUH is accountable through the HSE South West to the Acute Operations Division of the HSE. The primary academic partner for the hospital group is University College Cork. CUH aims to be valued for its expertise in the provision of quality acute healthcare services and to positively impact the lives of those we encounter.

CUH Paediatric Services

CUH is Ireland’s largest Paediatric unit currently tri-located with maternity and adult services. It is the hub of the Paediatric services for the region. The Division of Paediatrics cares for children from birth to 16 years of age incorporating acute paediatric (85% of all paediatric admissions), children with chronic illnesses, and children at risk. Surgical and medical treatment is provided by the relevant divisions, for example general surgery, neurosurgery, plastics, ophthalmology, urology orthopaedics, while the children are cared for within paediatrics. The continuing development of services is informed by the National Clinical Programme in Paediatrics and Neonatology.

Paediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology

Almost 500 children with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus attend the service in CUH with new referrals received every year. CUH is the 2nd largest centre for paediatric diabetes care in Ireland and provides specialist diabetes care for children attending Kerry University Hospital and South Tipperary General Hospital. These patients also maintain links with their local general paediatrician, but specialist diabetes care is provided by CUH. Type 1 diabetes presents a significant burden for children, and their families and patients are at greater risk of developing psychological difficulties compared to the non- diabetes population.

Parallel to this is the Endocrine service attended by approximately 500 children with chronic endocrine disease, with a significant increase in referrals to the service evident over the past few years. Paediatric endocrinology is a specialty that evaluates and monitors children, from infants to adolescents, with suspected or known endocrine conditions relating to Adrenal Insufficiency, Growth, Puberty, Hypoglycaemia, Thyroid Disorders, Bone Health, Obesity and various other endocrine-related syndromes including Turner syndrome, and Prader Willi syndrome. The service also runs an Endocrine Late Effects of Cancer clinic. In addition, children with hypoglycaemia disorders and bone disease are increasingly receiving care at CUH.

There are two Paediatric Endocrinologists working across both teams and the approach is a large multi-disciplinary team, including: 5 Diabetes Nurses, 2 Endocrine Nurses, 2 Dietitians and 1 ANP. We would hope this new Senior Psychologist would be an important integral part of our Paediatric Team.

Hospital Psychology Department

This Hospital Psychology Department is a relatively new, dynamic and rapidly growing department within CUH and ISWID (Ireland South Women and Infants Directorate). Psychologists currently work across Paediatrics, Cystic Fibrosis, Adult Stroke, Neurology, Oncology, Major Trauma, Critical Care (CUH), as well as Staff Wellbeing, Mesh/ Urogynaecology, Endometriosis, and Neonatology (ISWID), with more posts in development.

Hospital Psychology services centre on meeting the psychological needs of patients and their families in the context of their physical illness, with the primary aims of improving health outcomes for patients and enhancing overall wellbeing and quality of life. Psychology services are embedded and integrated into the hospital multi-disciplinary teams, whilst also being part of an overarching Hospital Psychology Department spanning CUH and ISWID. The Hospital Psychology Department has strong links with the School of Applied Psychology in University College Cork, as well as with other Universities in terms of lecturing, research and professional psychology training placements.

Hospital Psychology provides a service to those with mild to moderate psychological difficulties associated with their medical condition. Hospital Psychology is not a Moderate- Severe Mental Health, Risk, or Crisis service. It does not replace or duplicate existing psychology and/or mental health services provided by, for example, Hospital Liaison Psychiatry/Mental Health, Community Mental Health or Inpatient Adult or CAMH Mental Health Services, Primary Care Psychology, Adult Disability Services, Children Disability Network Teams, Social Inclusion or others. However, staff liaise closely with other services as required, and these links and relationships across services are essential and part of day to day working to ensure continuity of care and appropriate care for service users.

Purpose of the Post

Develop and deliver a hospital paediatric psychology service in collaboration with the MDT. To provide psychology supports for other areas across paediatrics, in line with service plans and objectives and within established professional standards, guidelines, and policy.

We welcome enquiries about the role.

For further information about the role, please contact:

Dr Louise Reid, Principal Psychology Manager & Clinical Neuropsychologist

louise.reid1@hse.ie 0873667484

Or

Dr Nicola Lally, Principal Specialist Clinical Psychologist, Paediatrics, Cork University Hospital

Tel: 0873585717 or Email: nicola.lally@hse.ie

Or

Dr Stephen O’Riordan, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist, Cork University Hospital,

Tel: 021 4920139 or email Stephen.oriordan@hse.ie

Closing Date: Tuesday the 9th of February 2026 at 12 noon.