IHCA expresses concern at impact of new rental measures on NCHDs

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has raised concerns that the Government’s changes to the rental sector could have a detrimental impact on essential healthcare workers such as Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs), who are required to relocate frequently throughout their training. 

While the IHCA acknowledges the need for reform of the rental sector, it believes the proposal to allow landlords to reset rents at market price for new leases could have the unintended consequence of making accommodation even more inaccessible for frontline medical staff. 

This is particularly relevant for NCHDs given that the nature of their training can require them to rotate between different hospitals in different locations often within a single year. Under the proposed changes allowing rents to be reset for new tenancies, NCHDs may face significant hikes every time they relocate, which is an essential component of their postgraduate training and career development.

While the limited national supply of housing impacts every facet of society, these changes risk adding further stress to vital frontline health staff who are already employed in very demanding jobs. The measures may also force more doctors in training to commute excessive distances to their place of work, or even result in some deferring training rotations altogether due to a lack of suitable local accommodation.

In a submission to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Association expressed its wish to meet with Minister James Browne and his officials to engage constructively with Government on ensuring that essential housing policy reforms do not inadvertently compromise the delivery of hospital care or medical training standards that underpin the smooth operation of our health service.

ENDS 

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Andrew Dunne | andrew.dunne@finnpartners.com | 089 442 6763