Supports Available

Additional Information

1. Find the Right General Practitioner

Register with a GP who is neither friend nor family and who will ensure that professional boundaries are maintained in all decision making.

Though you will have your own thoughts on diagnosis and appropriate interventions, bring an open mind to the consultation and just ‘be a patient’.

An Irish study on GP trainees found that 57% had informally consulted a colleague regarding their health needs and 35% had referred themselves directly to a consultant, bypassing their GP. Furthermore, 92% had self-prescribed on at least one occasion. This is ill-advised as it results in compromised level of care.

2. Occupational Health

All public hospital employees in Ireland now have access to occupational health services. These are based on site in the larger hospitals or accessible off-site in some areas. Each is clinically led by a specialist / consultant occupational physician who provides a service with a team of nurses and administrative staff. All work closely with physiotherapists who can ‘fast-track’ access to treatment for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and also have access, directly or indirectly, to counselling support services, which may or may not be on site.

Occupational health deals with the interface between health and work but encompasses a broader remit of work and work environment (including psychosocial environment), health and ill-health as well as life and lifestyle.

A very strict code of ethics underpins occupational health practice, augmenting the Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics (7th Edition). Occupational health professionals are mindful of the importance of respecting confidentiality. They have a particular skill in communicating effectively with employers and managers on fitness for work issues without disclosing confidential health details.

3. Free Counselling for Doctors

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a national initiative that offers confidential counselling and referral services to hospital staff experiencing psychological stress. The EAP gives you access to trained, experienced counsellors who will help you to develop coping strategies in a non-judgemental confidential environment.

You can contact your local Employee Assistance Programme directly – self-referrals are accepted.

Some Employee Assistance Programmes offer a 24-hour helpline, depending on the hospital group.

If you contact an Employee Assistance Programmes, you can avail of prompt confidential referral to a counsellor independent of the Occupational Health Department in your hospital. The Occupational Health Department in your hospital will only ever be contacted by the Employee Assistance Programme if there is a concern for your safety or patient safety.

HSE Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

4. NCHD Hub

The NCHD Hub is a workplace health and wellbeing service for non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs).

We offer support with occupational health assessments to NCHDs. Our services are available to those who have an NCHD contract with the HSE or a Section 38 service.

NCHD Hub Services include:

advice on workplace adjustment for psychological and medical issues
disability and work advice
work-related stress support
fitness for work assessments
psychological support relating to your role as an NCHD

Reasons for referral may include:

complex ongoing medical conditions
complex ongoing psychological conditions
work-related stress
work and disability advice
long-term sickness absence unlikely to resolve before rotating to a different region or new regional occupational health service

Regional Occupational Health services will continue to provide the following assessments:

frequent short-term sickness absence
long-term sickness absence
serious illness – Critical Illness Protocol (CIP)
medical review of disclosed health issue
health-related performance issue, accident, injury or assault at work
occupational blood or body fluid exposure
occupational vaccinations

How to access the NCHD Hub

You can access the NCHD Hub by self-referral or via a referral from your local Occupational Health Service, Medical Manpower, National Specialty Director (NSD) or your relevant training body.

5. RCSI Courses and Resources

Link to courses available to trainees (Speak to Thomas about moodle resources)

6. HSE National HR Employee Helpdesk

You can contact the helpdes regarding benefits, terms and conditions of employment and advice on the operation of the grievance and disciplinary processes. Contact the helpdesk on 1850 444 925, Monday to friday, 8am – 5pm. Alternatively you can e-mail ask.hr@hse.ie.

7. Practitioner Health Matters Programme

Any doctor, dentist or pharmacist who has a concern about a mental health or a substance misuse problem can receive confidential help from experts at the Practitioner Health Matters Programme.

The Practitioner Health Matters Programme operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded primarily by voluntary contributions and professional associations. It has replaced the former Sick Doctor Scheme.

For more, see practitionerhealth.ie or call 01 297 0356.

8. Psychologist for Doctors

Please click on the link below for a full list of Psychologists for Doctors.

Psychologists for doctors

9. HSE Free Life Coaching

Coaching is a FREE CONFIDENTIAL service available to staff working in the HSE and Section 38 agencies.

The service is provided by professional coaches who have completed an accredited coach training programm.

You may wish to consider coaching if you are:

Exploring your career progression
Recently promoted
Dealing with conflict
Feeling ‘stuck’ in your current role
Wishing to increase your self-confidence
Managing change
Seeking to improve your work-life balance
Feeling stressed