Respiratory Physiologist, Chief I, University Hospital

Details of Service

Cork University Hospital (CUH) is the largest acute hospital in the country. The hospital is a primary teaching hospital with close alliances to University College Cork (UCC), nursing, medical and allied health professional training. The hospital also plays a central role in the management of co-located services on-site.

CUH is the largest university teaching hospital in Ireland and the only Level 1 Trauma Centre in the country – an accreditation given with the presence of 40 different medical and surgical specialities delivered by the hospital – including Neurosciences, Cardiac Services, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Renal, Internal Medicine, Vascular, Ophthalmology, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Maxillary-Facial, Paediatrics, Critical Care, Cancer Services, and Emergency Medicine.

CUH is the tertiary referral Centre for the HSE Southern area, and the supra-regional area of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny. CUH therefore acts as a regional Centre for secondary and tertiary care for the catchment population of 550,000 served by the HSE Southern area and a supra-regional Centre for a total population of 1.1 million.

CUH is a recommended Major Trauma Centre for the Republic of Ireland due to the wide range of specialties delivered by the hospital – including Neurosciences, Cardiac Services, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Renal, Internal Medicine, Vascular, Ophthalmology, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Maxillary-Facial, Paediatrics, Intensive Care, Oncology, Haematology, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Neonatology and Emergency Medicine.

The Respiratory Medicine Department currently has 9 Respiratory Consultants with specialist clinics for Lung Cancer, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension and non-CF Bronchiectasis. The Respiratory Medicine Department will be incorporating a new satellite service of the Cork City South which might include travel out to this satellite department.

Purpose of the Post

The Chief I Respiratory Physiologist will provide professional, clinical, and managerial leadership for the delivery and development of a comprehensive Respiratory Physiology Service within the organisation. The post holder will ensure the provision of a high-quality, safe, and patient-centred service in line with HSE objectives, national standards, and best practice guidelines.

The role encompasses responsibility for the operational management, governance, and continuous improvement of respiratory diagnostic services ensuring effective utilisation of resources and delivery of key performance targets.

The Chief I Respiratory Physiologist will work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to the diagnosis and management of patients with respiratory disease, while providing expert clinical knowledge and guidance to medical, nursing, and allied health colleagues.

The post holder will also be responsible for staff management, including supervision, training, and development, and will promote a culture of quality assurance, patient safety, and service innovation in line with HSE policies and reform programmes.

For further information about the role contact

Dr Michael Henry, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Cork University Hospital

Email: michael.henry@hse.ie.

Telephone: 021 49221311