RHM / Consultant General Physician

This is an appointment to the HSE Dublin & Midlands Region on a Public Only Consultants’ Contract 2023 by the Health Service Executive.

The initial commitment for this post will be to Regional Hospital Mullingar for 37 hours per week

This post may be subject to restructuring in the future to facilitate the reorganisation of acute services in line with new clinical models of acute and community services. It is noted that the post must be congruent with the requirements of, and facilitate implementation of national health policy, the HSE’s National Clinical Programmes including commitment to deliver the relevant performance outcomes.

The Consultant General Physician is expected to have a special interest and demonstrable experience in the delivery of specialist Stroke care.

The Stroke Service at RHM includes rapid assessment of 200-250 patients annually who present acutely with stroke symptoms as well as post-acute stroke care and rehabilitation from the multidisciplinary team. RHM is a regional acute stroke centre serving patients in the midland counties including Westmeath, Longford, Offaly, Kildare, Meath and Roscommon. It provides a 24 hour acute stroke service with rapid on-site CT scanning and treatment with on-site thrombolysis and urgent transfer to Beaumont Hospital for endovascular thrombectomy if appropriate.

The successful candidate will work with the existing stroke team to develop the service by facilitating the development and expansion of a rapid access TIA clinic, an expanded inpatient stroke service and an early supported discharge pathway.

The post holder will work with Consultant colleagues in other specialities on a consultation basis to provide a comprehensive medical assessment to stroke inpatients.

To facilitate CPD and the development of collegial relationships with colleagues, the post holder will be expected to attend educational activities in the acute hospital including radiology conferences, journal clubs and grand rounds.

The post will align with NSD 2025 by enabling a dedicated consultant to oversee the acute presentations for stroke patients referred on a daily basis. This has a direct impact on reducing the number of patients who require inpatient beds while also ensuring that patients have a care plan/decision as to their future care needs.

PURPOSE SUMMARY:

1. To enhance patient care

2. To address current deficits in stroke service staffing as identified in National Stroke Programme gap analysis of stroke services

3. To ensure the sustainability of the stroke service by having a dedicated stroke consultant

4. To enhance patient flow by facilitating rapid TIA assessments, reducing admissions and by increasing patient discharges through an ESD pathway