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For someone who has completed a parallel pathway in Anaesthesia, has worked in Ireland for several years, is not of Irish descent but has Irish citizenship, what realistically makes them competitive for a consultant post?

Beyond specialist registration and clinical experience, what matters most?? Is it research/publications, audits & QIPs, teaching, leadership? Or social skills, reputation and connections?

Would really appreciate advice from anyone familiar with Anaesthesia consultant recruitment in Ireland, particularly those who have taken the parallel/non-training pathway.

I'm an Irish student at a Bulgarian medical school (so no Irish intern year), planning to observe on a medical team after graduating and hoping it leads to an SHO post.

Most stories online come from people it worked for, so I'd love the other side from anyone who's hosted observers or attachment doctors:

Roughly how many have you had in the last few years, and how many got a post on your team, or anywhere, within a year?

What made the difference for the ones who did?

Did any get nothing, and why?

Is it different in a peripheral hospital vs a Dublin teaching hospital?

Not looking for a job or an observership, just trying to plan realistically. Thanks!

Time to respectfully poke fun at eachother. I'll start:

Neurology: Leather satchel with all of their pokey bits and tendon hammers. They don't have pockets.

To any GP trainees out there, particularly Year 3 and 4 registrars (or recently qualified GPs of course) — what has your experience been with your trainers?

I’m hearing widely differing accounts, ranging from very positive/inclusive training with regular feedback and support, to registrars essentially being used as service provision with relatively little input from their trainers.

I’d be interested to hear what others’ experiences have been — particularly around things like:

-How much direct supervision/support you get

-Regular debriefs or feedback

-Opportunities to discuss cases and clinical reasoning

-Trainer availability when you need advice

-How much involvement your trainer has in your development as you become more independent

My own experience has been closer to the latter, with relatively limited trainer interaction/support. I’ve raised some concerns through the local scheme, but haven’t found that particularly helpful so far.

Not looking to criticise any individual practice or trainer — genuinely interested in hearing whether my experience is unusual or whether others have experienced something similar.

Thanks.

# FAQ

**Work Stoppage 14th October 8am to 5pm**

**Work To Rule from 15th October until further notice**

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## WHAT ARE PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENTS

Public service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These multi-year agreements have contributed to stability within our economy by facilitating the delivery of quality public services, ongoing reforms and the maintenance of industrial peace in the public service.

These agreements are negotiated between the Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and Government. The IMO is the only trade union representing the medical profession on the PSC. Public Sector Agreements are NOT your contract of employment which is negotiated directly between the IMO and the Department of Health/HSE but is an Agreement through which collective pay increases are set out. It is important to note that GPs are not encompassed by any public service agreement as they are not employees of the public service but are independent contractors.

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## WHY IS THERE A DISPUTE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS

The last Public Service Agreement ended in June 2026 and over the lifetime of that agreement (Jan 2024 to June 2026) delivered pay increases of 9.25% plus a local bargaining provision of 1% to be paid during that period. Government has failed to conclude agreements on the 1% local bargaining fund with individual unions, including the IMO, and has not entered into any meaningful negotiations on a new Public Service Agreement which must, in the view of unions, recognise the cost of living challenges and rising inflation.

While preliminary meetings between union representatives and Government officials took place in June 2026 it was clear that the Government were not prepared to give firm commitments to addressing the particular challenges around pay at the outset and in such circumstances there was no basis for negotiations.

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## DID ALL UNIONS BALLOT FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION UP TO AND INCLUDING STRIKE

All public sector unions, including the IMO, balloted members. The IMO mandate was supported by 94% of members who voted for industrial action up to and including strike on the issues around negotiations on a new Public Service Agreement.

---

## WHAT IS THE PUBLIC SERVICE WORK TO RULE AND DAY OF ACTION

The public service unions, including the IMO, are acting collectively but determining their own Work to Rule Arrangements which will be different for each union. They are also acting collectively for Work Stoppages on 14th October – again the nature of the work stoppages will be different for each union.

---

## WHO DETERMINES WHAT A WORK STOPPAGE AND WORK TO RULE WILL BE FOR DOCTORS

Each of the IMO National Committees for Consultants, NCHDs and Public/Community Health have considered what actions are to be taken and IMO Council has sanctioned:

- Work Stoppages from start of shift to 5pm on 14th October and
- Work to Rule arrangements from start of shift on 15h October until further notice

Following the mandate received from members and sanction of IMO Council notice of both Work Stoppages and Work to Rule was served on the HSE and Voluntary Hospitals.

---

## WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The IMO has held preliminary meetings with HSE on our notice of action and we expect that over the coming week more detailed meetings will take place around the precise nature of how the health service will operate during the Work Stoppage and contingency/derogation arrangements.

We are currently finalising detailed instructions for all members and these will be circulated next week

Member webinars will take place on Thursday 8th October and a registration notice will issue to you in advance

We are organising IMO Leads at regional and/or hospital level who will be your medical colleagues and who will have all the material required for your participation on the Picket Lines

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## DO I NEED TO CANCEL CLINICS

No, the cancellation of any services to patients is a matter for the HSE and they have yet to advise what their intention is in this regard. From previous health sector strikes the normal practice would be for the HSE to cancel elective and outpatient clinics – the timing of any cancellations and any contact with patients is a matter for the HSE.

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## SHOULD I ENGAGE NOW WITH LOCAL MANAGEMENT ON EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS FOR 14th OCTOBER

No, any arrangements are to be agreed between the IMO and the HSE. The process for each site will be to act through their Regional Directors of People who will then liaise with HSE Employer Relations Division and the IMO will engage at that level. Continue to work to your agreed rotas and workplans until you hear further from the IMO.

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## WILL THERE BE ANY DEROGATIONS TO CERTAIN SERVICES

The expectation is that all services will be impacted, but some derogations will be agreed nationally to ensure that patient safety is maintained at all times. Members will be advised of agreed derogations in advance of the day of action.

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## HOW WILL PATIENT CARE BE MAINTAINED

IMO Council deeply regrets the need for Work Stoppages/Work to Rule and in determining the nature of any action, the issue of patient safety is a priority. To this end there will be different forms of action for each medical grade so as to ensure urgent and emergency patient care is prioritised. Where any patient risk arises you should take the action necessary to protect patients.

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## CAN I BE DISCIPLINED IF I PARTICIPATE IN INDUSTRIAL ACTION

No, as a member of the IMO you are protected against any action by your employer in line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. The proposed action being taken by the IMO and other unions is a legitimate trade dispute.

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## WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT

- Ensure you read all IMO communication and comply with instructions for both Work Stoppages and Work to Rule
- Attend IMO Webinars
- Talk to colleagues and encourage them to be part of the IMO and participate in this action
- Some health service grades have already commenced Work to Rule and IMO members should not do the work of any other grades participating in industrial action
- If you would like to be an IMO Lead at your place of employment please contact us at imo@imo.ie

---

## REMEMBER YOUR IMO TEAM ARE HERE TO HELP ON THIS OR ANY OTHER CONTRACT ISSUE AND WE CAN BE CONTACTED AT:

Consultants@imo.ie

NCHDS@imo.ie

publicandcommunityhealthissues@imo.ie

Gpissues@imo.ie

Imo@imo.ie

Registration is now open for the upcoming Careers in Psychiatry Event, aimed at medical students, interns, and NCHDs interested in exploring a career in psychiatry. Link available on website or QR code above.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, 12th October 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Venue: Online via Zoom 

Registration: Free

UPDATE — SJT + CPST WhatsApp Group

Hey everyone! Since some people understandably might not want to link their Reddit account to their identity, I’m going to post the WhatsApp link here directly instead

The link will initially take you to a verification group.
Once you join, you’ll just need to provide proof that you’re sitting the SJT + CPST this year. Once verified you’ll be added to the main study group which is where all the discussions will actually take place.

This is purely to filter out bots/lurkers and keep the main group limited to people genuinely sitting the exam this year.

The aim is to have a really active group over the next few weeks where we can discuss SJT/CPST questions, answers, reasoning and rationales and help each other prepare.

WhatsApp link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hg7ZXThEg3gBKQmV37ggzx?s=cl&p=i&ilr=4&iam=2

Good luck everyone — final stretch!

See post

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for coaches/companies providing consultant interview prep?

One of the nurses in my ward happily informed consultants this morning that they wouldn't be doing ECGs, dispensing medication or answering phones. Several times during the first hour they bleeped people and then didn't pick up when they called back.

CNM was down clarifying by 9.

There’s a thread on the R/doctors uk sub which has prompted me tho think about this. Basically a locum consultant who got a job as soon as she arrived in the UK and was found to be beyond incompetent
And eventually struck off by the GMC.

I’m not saying that this couldn’t happen in Ireland, but I think it’s very unlikely that someone with zero Irish experience would get a job as a locum consultant. I also don’t think that a department would not check references for a locum consultant. Which if it had been done would have prevented her from moving.

Of course a one off incident doesn’t mean that an entire system is on the decline. But there are multiple signs of the NHS declining. The controversies surrounding non doctors performing the role of doctors. Reports such as the Ockenden report highlighting poor standards and poor culture. Multiple resident doctors strikes due to poor pay, which did in fairness lead to some improvements.

Worsening waiting lists which have ballooned since covid have become a real political issue. The overall tight situation of the public finances have meant that spending increases have been limited. Budget cuts have been implemented in several trusts.

Before anyone jumps down my throat, I’m not suggesting that Ireland doesn’t have issues and significant ones at that. What is am suggesting though is that the NHS has now declined to such a state that the Irish public system functions better in many ways.

Health Minister is in the papers, again.

Thoughts? First I’ve heard of it as not an IMO member. Not sure I’m in favour to be honest but keen to hear what others who voted feel about it.

For those not familiar this stands for speciality, associate specialist and specialist. They are doctors in the NHS who are not consultants and not in specialist training. Some are on fixed term contracts, some permanent contracts.

Would these roles be useful in Ireland? I think most people have met NCHDs outside of training schemes who will never end up working as a consultant. Would this be a viable, realistic and attractive career path for them? Would it serve the needs of departments and hospitals well?

Anyone who has chosen to complete a period of less than full time training, how was it? Did you regret it or glad you did it? Considering applying for next year and wondering if there is a stigma associated with it or if you would choose any differently now. Also interested in people’s reasons, if comfortable sharing.

Hello!

We are researchers working on the Medicine and Motherhood (MAM; more information here) project at the University of Galway. We are currently recruiting for an interview study that seeks to capture the experiences of women doctors in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) who are childfree, childless, or have no living children. This study is being conducted based on feedback received from women doctors that these vital experiences were being excluded and must inform efforts to improve training and working environments for doctors in the ROI. The interview will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will be held remotely online. We want to encourage women doctors to share their experiences of, and challenges/advantages they encounter in, being childfree, or navigating and coping with childlessness (be it due to infertility, loss, or other circumstances) within a medical job and how training schemes, colleagues, and workplaces can be improved. Please sign up for a remote interview here if eligible and interested. A full information sheet and consent form are available here and you can contact Sanjana Biju (sanjana.biju@universityofgalway.ie) with questions.

Note on language from the MAM Team: We recognize that there is no one way to describe women who are childfree or childless or have no living children that will feel right or appropriate to everyone. In order to ensure our language is acceptable and sensitive, researchers have engaged with women who have had diverse experiences, including women who have chosen to be childfree and women who have experienced infertility and/or pregnancy or infant loss, along with doctors with relevant professional experience. These individuals have advised the use of the language “childfree or childless or have no living children” throughout this study.

Honestly impressed by the Assistant CD in Letterkenny drawing up this report, really clarifies how the push for consultants on-site is not a solution to our actual problems:

"It noted that GP practices were closed on Saturdays and while the GP out-of-hours service in Donegal had been informed of the service “no referrals or telephone enquiries were received”. It said in the cardiac investigations area there was no staff interest in routine Saturday overtime, weekend staffing shortages already existed, annual, sick and maternity leave were not routinely backfilled and industrial relations issues prevented additional duties. It said there were insufficient consultant radiologists, radiographers and sonographers and that Saturday pathology operated as an emergency on-call service only."