This is a Locum Consultant General Surgeon post on a specified purpose contract from 04.08.2026 to the serve the growing population of the region.  As part of the service within the Louth Meath, it is necessary to provide a safe on-call service for acute on-call take at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda. 

There are currently 10 WTE Consultant Surgeons across the Louth Hospitals. This post will retain the current services in Louth hospitals and continue to maintain the high quality surgical care to patients.  The locum Consultant will continue the existing services and in conjunction with his / her colleagues will contribute to the future development of the Department of Surgery and provide a safe on call service. The Surgical Department is divided into 3 teams of consultants and NCHDs to allow cross cover over two sites. Subspecialties include paediatrics, gastrointestinal surgery, colorectal surgery, orthopaedics, urology, plastic surgery and ENT. This includes adherence to the model of acute hospital care.

The post will support the existing team at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda until the post is filled in a permanent capacity. 

The HSE has created six new health regions. Each region is responsible for providing both hospital and community care for the people in that area. Bringing community health services and hospitals together means we can take a more patient-centred approach to healthcare.

HSE Dublin and North East provides health and social care to North Dublin, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and most areas of Cavan.

HSE Dublin and North East Region includes the following hospitals;

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
• National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh
• Our Lady’s Hospital Navan
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda Profile

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda is a 485 bed, model 3 Acute General and Maternity hospital located in the North East of Ireland.  The hospital provides acute and specialist hospital services to populations in North Dublin, Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. It is the main acute hospital in the North East and the Hospital Services include Critical Care, Orthopaedic Trauma, Surgery, Medicine (wide range of specialties), Acute Stroke Unit, Cardiology, Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Paediatrics. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is an acute academic teaching hospital and our academic partner is the Royal College of Surgeons University (RCSI). Our relationship with RSCI University is important in improving standards of care, fostering education, clinical research and innovation.  It has a workforce of approximately 2,600 staff, providing a 24/7, 365 emergency care and related services. The services include scheduled and unscheduled care activity, with inpatient acute services being primarily of unscheduled care origin. The hospital team deliver safe and timely access to our patients and community and perform highly in national unscheduled care and ED Key performance indicators. The hospital team are committed to the delivery of world-class care and exceptional clinical services with respect & compassion.

Standard Duties and Responsibilities for all Consultant posts are as per Section 4 and Section 10 of the POCC23:

The Employee is hereby employed as a consultant. The Employee will be clinically independent in relation to decisions on the diagnosis, treatment and care of individual patients. This clinical independence derives from the specific relationship between the patient and the Employee. In that relationship, the patient places trust in the consultant who is personally involved in the patient’s care to make clinical decisions in the patient’s best interests and to take continuing responsibility for the consequences of that consultant’s decisions.

The Employee acknowledges that they are subject to statutory and regulatory requirements and corporate policies and procedures including those adopted for implementation by the national clinical programmes.

The Employee has a substantial and direct involvement in the medical diagnosis, treatment and delivery of care to patients.

The Employee may discharge their responsibilities through:

• a direct professional relationship with the patient;
• shared responsibility with other consultants who contribute significantly to patient management; and
• (subject to the following paragraph of this clause) delegation of aspects of the patient’s care to other appropriate members of staff.

The Employee will only delegate responsibility to other doctors or staff members where the delegation is consistent with the continued provision of an appropriate level of diagnosis, treatment and care to the patient in respect of the relevant episode of care. Notwithstanding any such delegation, the Employee will retain a continuing overall responsibility for the care of the patient.

The determination of the range, volume and type of services to be provided and responsibility for the provision of same within available resources rests with the Employer. Services not provided because of a resource limit are the responsibility of the Employer and not the Employee.

The Employee will generally work as part of a consultant team. The primary purpose of consultant teams is to ensure consultant-provided services to patients on a continuing basis. In effect this requires that the Employee will provide diagnosis, treatment and care to patients who are under the care of other consultants on their consultant team and vice versa. This may include discharge and further treatment arrangements, as appropriate.

The membership of the Employee’s consultant team will be determined by the Employer in the context of the local working environment. The team may be defined at specialty/sub-speciality level or under a more broadly based categorisation, such as “general medicine” or “general surgery”.

The work of the Employee will be determined by reference to the Clinical Directorate Service Plan that applies from time to time. The principles underpinning the preparation of the Clinical Directorate Service Plan are set out in Appendix 3 of the POCC23.

The initial scope of this post is as set out in the letter of approval. The main duties of the Employee’s position (as of the Commencement Date) are set out in the job description attached at Appendix 2 of the POCC23. The scope and duties of the post may be changed by the Clinical Director from time to time provided the Clinical Director consults the Employee before making any such change.

In addition to or instead of their normal duties, the Employee may be required to undertake other duties as may be assigned to them provided such other duties are consistent with

• the role of a consultant having regard to the letter of approval and the duties set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the POCC23 respectively and
• the Employee’s clinical speciality (as recognised in their registration on the Specialist Division or the Register of Dental Specialist).

Any other duties that are assigned further to the preceding paragraph will be discussed between the Employee and their Clinical Director/Executive Clinical Director/line manager and will be incorporated into the Employee’s work plan.

The Employee is required to cooperate with the delivery of national clinical programmes, national health strategies and nationally agreed models of care. If any of these materially change the terms and conditions of this contract, the same will be subject to negotiation. Such cooperation will not impinge on the clinical independence set out in clause 4 of the POCC23.

Job description for the post

1. The annual Clinical Directorate Service Plan will detail how plans are to be implemented and will be assessed by reference to a series of performance monitoring arrangements. The Employee agrees to complete and submit their plan (ie the consultant-level component of the Clinical Directorate Service Plan) on an annual basis or as required contributing to the Clinical Directorate Service Plan.

1. The Clinical Directorate Service Plan will set out how regulatory and legislative compliance requirements will be achieved by the Employee and the team in which the Employee works for the time being.
2. Certain decision-making functions and commensurate responsibilities may be delegated to the Employee by the Employer. These will be documented in the Clinical Directorate Service Plan.
3. In addition to their normal duties, the Employee may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to their position as may be assigned to them, including deputising as appropriate.
4. The Employer is required to comply with Government policy in respect of the future provision of healthcare. The Employee is required to cooperate and engage proactively with the implementation of such policy including by cooperating with any changes in the organisation of healthcare services (and any consequential changes in reporting relationships), arising from such policy. Subject to the compliance by the Employer with its legal obligations, any significant changes in the organisation of healthcare services implemented by the Employer further to its compliance with Government policy will, prior to implementation, be the subject of consultation by the Employer through established consultation processes.
5. The Employee will have line management responsibilities for NCHDs on their team.
6. The Employee is required to work to the Employee’s job description which may be amended during the course of the Employee’s employment. The Employee’s obligations will include the following.
   • To participate in the development of and undertake all duties and functions pertinent to the Employee’s specialty, as set out within the applicable Clinical Directorate Service Plan or alternative Plan for community-based services and in line with policies as specified by the Employer.
   • To discharge any statutory obligations attaching to any particular consultant role held (e.g. the clinical director role under the Mental Health Acts 2001 and 2018, or the medical officer of health role under the Health Acts 1947 to 2020).
   • To ensure that duties and functions are undertaken in a manner that minimises delays for patients and possible disruption of services.
   • To work within the framework of the hospital/agency’s service plan and/or levels of service (volume, types etc.) as determined by the Employer. Service planning for individual clinical services will be progressed through the Clinical Directorate structure or other arrangements as apply.
   • To be subject to the HSE’s Performance Achievement Policy which will be structured to take account of the particular needs of consultants and ensure regular review/appraisal of performance and individual needs for effective service delivery. The Clinical Director will be responsible for the implementation of the Performance Achievement Policy with the Employee.
   • To co-operate with individual and team-based performance review processes as outlined by the Employer, the focus of which will be on quality, patient safety and supporting individual and/or team performance.
   • To deliver a quantity and quality of care that is evidence-based and included in the Clinical Directorate Service Plan and appraised at performance meetings which is aimed at addressing patient care needs and supporting individual professional practice.
   • To carry out the duties of the post in such a way as to achieve high standards of clinical care, conduct and performance of work. In the event that the Employee fails to achieve these standards the Employer’s disciplinary procedure that (for the time being) applies to the Employee will be invoked.
   • To co-operate with the expeditious implementation of the Employer’s disciplinary procedure that (for the time being) applies to the Employee. Any update to the disciplinary policy will apply to the holder of this contract.
   • To lead in clinical programmes of work which include quality improvement, education, both intra and inter-disciplinary, promotion of excellence, and information technology.
   • To formally review the execution of the Clinical Directorate Service Plan with the Clinical Director periodically. The Clinical Directorate Service Plan will be reviewed periodically at the request of the Employee or Clinical Director. The Employee may initially seek internal review of the determinations of the Clinical Director regarding the Clinical Directorate Service Plan as it relates to the Employee’s commitment.
   • To participate in the development and operation of the Clinical Directorate structure and in such management or representative structures as are in place or being developed. The Employee will receive training and support to enable the Employee to participate fully in such structures.
   • To lead and manage the professional development of staff, including establishing and maintaining a positive team culture and enhancing staff engagement.
   • To lead and manage the performance of the consultant team in which the Employee works for the time being to ensure the standards expected by the Employee and the Employer are met.
   • To provide, as appropriate, clinical consultation in their area of designated expertise in respect of patients of other consultants at the request of such persons.
   • To ensure in consultation with the Clinical Director that appropriate senior clinical decision makers cover is available at all times having due regard to the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
   • To supervise and be responsible for diagnosis, treatment and care provided by NCHDs treating patients under the Employee’s care.
   • To participate as an obligation in selection processes for NCHDs and other staff as appropriate. The Employer will provide training as required. Where practicable the Employer will ensure that a consultant representative of the relevant speciality/sub-speciality is involved in the selection process.
   • To participate in clinical audit and proactive risk management and facilitate production of all data/information required for same in accordance with regulatory, statutory and corporate policies and procedures.
   • To work within the governance structures and accountability of the organisation, to include both corporate and clinical governance arrangements.
   • To participate in and facilitate production of all data/information required to
     • validate delivery of duties and functions,
     • inform planning and
     • manage service delivery in the best interest of quality and patient safety.
   • To support assessment of patient outcomes and institute change in the best interest of patient care and safety.
   • To participate in the use of best evidence to inform safe, high quality care and minimise variation across the health service including development and implementation of, and compliance with national clinical guidance.
   • To support the Clinical Director to consider assessment of patient and health service outcomes as part of performance management and institute change on the basis of audit.
   • To support the use of digital technology, data and quality improvement to improve patient care and service provision.

If the Employee is a consultant in public health medicine they will undertake relevant duties and functions in accordance with the foregoing sub-paragraphs and as provided for in the job description for their posts and the agreed public health model.

 The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Entry to competition / recruitment process

No candidate will be appointed as a Medical Consultant unless (s)he is registered as a Specialist in the Specialist Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council of Ireland.

Professional Qualifications

Registration as a specialist in the Specialist Division of the Register of Medical Practitioners maintained by the Medical Council in Ireland.

Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the post must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the post and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

A candidate for and any person holding the post must be of good character.

Clinical Competence – Delivering Clinical Expertise

(incorporating clinical knowledge & skills, clinical experience, Continuous Practitioner Development)

• Possesses a detailed knowledge and understanding of the relevant specialist domain
• Has a clear understanding of the clinical challenges facing relevant population groups
• Demonstrates leadership skills to enhance patient care and safety
• Applies knowledge effectively to make clear and proactive decisions
• Anticipates rather than reacts; maintains knowledge of current research and practice
• Recognises and respond to the complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity inherent in medical practice
• Has track record of doing things thoroughly in challenging cases / complex referrals
• Adopts a patient-centred approach to understanding patient needs and delivering their care
• Makes a clear and decisive contribution within the multi-disciplinary team
• Regularly engages in further education to develop self and practice

 Organisational Competence – Leading & Governance

(Incorporating clinical leadership & accountability, clinical service planning)

• Sees self as accountable for relevant issues related to clinical outcomes, patient safety, risk, quality, stewardship of resources and change management
• Manages people by providing direction, reviewing performance, motivating others and promoting equality and diversity
• Recognises respective areas of accountability of the CEO, General Manger / Service lead and others
• Efficient and organised; employs effective processes to manage and prioritise workload
• Open and honest; willing to admit mistakes and learns from experiences
• Is aware of resources available and manages these appropriately to ensure the delivery of safe and efficient services
• Contributes to the development of business and service plans to achieve service goals
• Reviews and monitors service provision
• Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility

Interpersonal Competence – Engaging Staff, Patients & Family

(Incorporating communication & listening skills, dealing with emotional situations, teamwork & collaboration, motivating and supporting others)

• Listens attentively and accurately to others and tailors his/her communication to suit the individual and the situation (oral and written)
• Encourages people to collaborate towards a common goal or vision
• Helps people to identify and develop their strengths, supports people when things go wrong
• Demonstrates self-awareness; understands own limitations
• Manages own emotions and is resilient, remains calm under pressure
• Adopts an inclusive, collaborative approach / understands and respects others’ roles within the wider multi-disciplinary team / treats people with respect at all times
• Sees self as a team member; is willing to take as well as give direction / works within teams to deliver and improve services
• Effectively influences and persuades others

Future Focused Competence – Improving Future Care

(Improving healthcare quality, Teaching & Research)

• Identifies the contexts for change, demonstrating awareness of the political, social, technical, economic, organisational and professional environment
• Encourages improvement and innovation, creating a climate of continuous service improvement.
• Applies knowledge and evidence, gathering information to produce an evidence-based challenge to systems and processes in order to identify opportunities for service improvement
• Makes sound evidence based decisions consistent with the values and priorities of the organisation and profession
• Measures and evaluates outcomes taking corrective action where necessary and is accountable for decisions
• Contributes to an ongoing process to improve health in the community / population s/he serves, with a strong appreciation of the service user
• Shares learning with colleagues via formal and informal methods (thinking aloud)
• Makes time to coach and support others; shows empathy for the concerns of learners, promotes a safe learning environment.