Revised specification for HSE Director of Psychology role criticised by psychologists

A revised version of the job specification for a controversial new HSE Director of Psychology role has been criticized by psychologists.

The role advertised earlier this month had been described as “radical extension of governance across all psychology services,” with unions criticizing a lack of consultation before it was announced.

Last week, Regional Executive Director for HSE South West (Cork and Kerry) Dr Andry Phillips “humbly apologized” to colleagues for “moving too quickly,” announcing that they had paused recruitment for the role to allow for consultations with staff and unions.

A representative from Forsa, the union which represents the majority of psychologists, has now shared a revised job specification for the role with members, asking if they and their colleagues could review it and give feedback.

The main change in the draft job spec is that it says that the successful candidate will "provide support" to therapists and counsellors instead of having oversight of them.

A Parliamentary Question from Cork South West TD and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns confirms that this role is not being considered for any other HSE sectors.

Ms Cairns had asked if the disciplines of occupational therapy, nursing and social work will also have a regional director appointed to them, and was told by Dr Phillips that there will not be a Regional Director of occupational therapy, nursing and social work in the South West.

Psychologists say that this change to the job spec does not solve the issues they had with the role, and have called for it to be examined by the Oireachtas Health Committee.

A HSE South West spokesperson told The Echo: “One of the key functions of this Director of Psychology post will be to address and reduce waiting lists for child psychology appointments in HSE South West.

“The waiting lists for such appointments are much too long and we sincerely apologise for this. It is completely inappropriate that both adults and children are waiting so long for Psychology.” 

The main issue affecting the wait times is frontline staffing levels, with 61% of psychology posts in Primary Care currently vacant across Cork and Kerry, they explained.

“We have a very clear commitment to recruiting these positions and HSE management have confirmed that funding for frontline posts is in place.

“Regrettably, the pipeline for these expert personnel is not readily available. We are continuing with our recruitment process to fill these critical roles as soon as possible.

“The rationale for this role is that we need an expert psychologist in place, who will carry a complex caseload and will support innovations in the model of care; whilst growing clinical practice placements and ensuring that the vacant posts are filled.” 

Clinical psychologist and Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide explained: “The main rationale for this post is the management of waiting-lists. Yet we know the worst hit services in Cork/Kerry - child and adolescent primary care - have been grossly understaffed for years.

“The HSE recruited a primary care psychology manager for North Lee / North Cork in January, but that appointment has been on hold since due to the recruitment embargo,” he said.

Mr Quaide continued: “It's also important that the Oireachtas Health Committee examines why this radical extension of remit is being proposed for one discipline in one Regional Health Area, and which psychology managers were privy to this post being created and which psychology managers authored a job description that has taken many colleagues by surprise.”