Support & Resources

NCHD hub: 
This is a HSE occupational health service independent of any specific hospital, ensuring continuity of care throughout your training. They focus on the relationship between health and work, covering areas such as workplace adjustments, psychological support, and fitness for work assessments. It offers guidance on managing work-related stress, disabilities, and medical conditions. Confidentiality is a key principle, and occupational health specialists are skilled in communicating in their reports about fitness for work and recommendations without disclosing private health information.

Before returning to work from an absence please contact your employer (consultant or GP Trainer) to discuss preparation as well as your scheme.

Talk to Trainee Wellbeing about this form (DOCX, 44 KB), alternatively, you can complete and email to traineewellbeing@icgp.ie or your scheme director .

Practitioner Health Matters Programme

They offer confidential support for doctors experiencing stress, burnout, mental health difficulties, or substance misuse. This non-HSE, free GP-led service provides access to psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, all experienced in supporting doctors. It typically offers shorter waiting times compared to public and private lists too. They can see you in person in Dublin or online. For more information, visit their website. or contact Sarah at confidential@practitionerhealth.ie or phone 085 760 1274.

Here is an information webinar on both Practitioner Health and the NCHD hub

This programme is a national service offering confidential counselling and referrals for HSE staff dealing with psychological stress. Through the EAP, you can access trained counsellors who provide a supportive, non-judgmental space to help you develop effective coping strategies. You can contact the EAP directly for confidential support, independent of your hospital's Occupational Health Department. The EAP only contacts Occupational Health if there are concerns about your safety or patient safety. To make an appointment, you can either: call 0818 327 327 anytime - available 24 hours a day, every day (when calling out-of-hours, choose option 2) or fill out the EAP Referral Form and email it to eap.referral@hse.ie

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.

If you don't have a GP its very important to register with one and not wait until you need one. Please use the National GP Directory to find one. Additionally, you can discuss with your scheme, who will know local GPs in your area.

You can contact the helpdesk 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 email ask.hr@hse.ie. For wellbeing queries, use hr.wellbeing@hse.ie. 

Access confidential coaching to address a range of needs, including conflict resolution, overcoming feelings of 'stuck,' boosting self-confidence, exploring your career progression, managing change, and improving work-life balance. Apply here.

Provides salary & payroll support, contractual & employment Advice, financial advice, and advocacy.

Irish Medical Organisation

• Alcoholics Anonymous support to individuals and families affected by alcohol misuse.
• Bodywhys national support group for people affected by eating disorders.
• St Patrick’s hospital website information on a range of mental health disorders.
• Aware information, education and support to the community on depression.
• PSI Chartered Psychologist Online Directory
• Anxiety Advice from the HSE on signs, causes, tips and self-help

• Live GP Wellbeing Monthly Webinars, delivered as part of the “Doctor Health & Wellbeing”. Previous sessions are accessible via the Education Platform.
• HSE SilverCloud Health platform offers free programs for managing stress, building resilience, and improving sleep. You can sign up  with the access code HSE2020.
• Stresscontrol.ie has free information on managing stress.
• Yales Science of Wellbeing Course (Free) engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits.
• Five Ways to Wellbeing practical framework from Mental Health Ireland.
• Mental Health Ireland Resources, such as webinars and booklets on various topics, such as men's mental health, loneliness, anxiety, diet and mood.
• HSE Stress Policy outlines a policy for preventing and managing stress in the workplace.

• Ergonomics:
  Desk Ergonomics info and how to self-assess
• Sleep:
  Harvard Medical School’s notes on sleep
  UCLA Sleep Disorders Center Coping with Shift Work
• Diet:
  101 Square Meals Cook book by Safe Food Ireland
  Healthy Food Swaps by BHF
  Reading Food Labels 
• Physical Activity:
  Parkrun Ireland offers free, weekly 5km timed runs and walks across Ireland, providing an accessible and social way to support physical and mental wellbeing.
  Get Ireland Active provides information on local clubs, classes, and activities, helping people find realistic ways to stay active despite busy schedules.
  HSE Physical activity guidelines
  Irish Heart Foundation provides guidance on exercise, cardiovascular health, and simple ways to incorporate movement into daily life.

HSE Bereavements Supports and advice on how to support yourself & others when dealing with Bereavement.

Bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or Conflict in the workplace 

• HSE Support Person is a fellow HSE employee who has received training to provide support and information on the Dignity at Work policy. They can support you if you are experiencing bullying, harassment or sexual harassment
• HSE Dignity at Work Policy for guidance on bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in the workplace
• Violence, harassment and aggression information on protecting you from aggression from both employees and non-employees.
• HSE workplace mediation service helps you resolve workplace conflict. The service is available to staff in the HSE and HSE-funded organisations.

Employment Rights and Workplace Processes:

• Workplace Relations Commission provides employment rights, as well as formal complaint and mediation services for workplace issues such as bullying, harassment, and disputes.
• HSE Rehabilitation Support access to information and key rehabilitation documents such as referral forms, guidance for managers and staff, return-to-work plans, and supporting policies and templates.
• HSE Health and Safety provides guidance, supports, and resources, including training, incident reporting, risk management, workplace hazards, policies, and specialist advice to help maintain a safe working environment.
• Complaints Webinar by The Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training bodies.

• National Disability Authority provides evidence-based guidance on inclusive workplaces, including rights, policies, and supports relevant to trainees and employees in healthcare settings.
• HSE Diversity, Equality and Inclusion HR Department, support in relation to your age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion, and sexual orientation.
• LGBT Ireland provides mental health and identity support, along with information and guidance on inclusion and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission outlines the legal framework for equality in the workplace and provides guidance for individuals experiencing discrimination during training or employment.
• HSE Cultural diversity information and Employee Resources Groups, to help create inclusive environments and build a sense of community.
• DEI Hub and DEI-related Training via hseland.

• AsIAm provides evidence-based resources on autism in the workplace, including self-advocacy tools, training resources, and guidance on supports and accommodations.
• ADHD Ireland offers education, coaching, and peer support, with increasing focus on adults in professional settings, including managing workload, attention, and burnout.
• Dyslexia Association of Ireland provides workplace strategies, assessments, and assistive technology guidance.
• Neurodiversity Ireland promotes inclusive work environments and awareness of neurodiversity, with useful resources.
• Aspire National organisation and charity providing support.
• Adult ADHD App - The HSE ADHD in Adults National Clinical Programme, in partnership with ADHD Ireland and the UCD School of Psychology, has developed a dedicated app for adults who either have ADHD or suspect they might.
• ADHD Self Assessment ASRS test, not used for diagnosis but a self reflective tool.
• Autism Self Assessment AQ test, not used for diagnosis but a self reflective tool.

• Royal Medical Benevolent Fund provides doctors and their families with financial assistance and information when it is most needed due to age, ill health, disability and bereavement.
• Sick Leave Entitlements, including Critical Illness Protocol, etc. Government information.
• Finance for NCHDs Advice by IMO Webinar by The Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training bodies
• Payslips Explained HSE article

• Leave entitlements and application forms.
• Medical Parents during Training Webinar by The Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training bodies.
• Pregnant, postnatal and breastfeeding employees' HSE risk assessments and information.
• The National Infertility Support and Information Group provides information and emotional support for people going through a fertility journey, they also provide group support.

Medical Careers gives valuable information on Accommodation, PPS number, Banking, Taxes, Immigration requirements, Visa and Work Permits.

• Also Human – Caroline Elton
• Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl
• The Power of Full Engagement – Loehr & Schwartz

• Atomic Habits – James Clear
• The Chimp Paradox – Steve Peters
• The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown
• How to Deal with Stress – Palmer & Cooper

• Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker
• Age Proof – Roizen & Chatzky

• Full Catastrophe Living – Jon Kabat Zinn
• Start Where You Are – Pema Chödrön
• Peace Is Every Breath – Thich Nhat Hanh