An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2002-2003
Report to Údarás na hOllscoile
Review of
Department of Psychiatry
Self Assessment
Review Group Visit
Follow Up Meeting
Sept 2002 to Jan 2003
4–5 February, 2003
6 May 2003
This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its
committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above
review, its context and its outcomes.
Professor Jim Gosling, Director of Quality, March 2004
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Psychiatry 2003
2
1. Overview of Department
1.1 Aim of the Department
1. From it’s a unique cultural setting in the West of Ireland, the Department of Psychiatry,
NUI Galway aims to provide a first class educational programme for medical
undergraduates which will:
i.
ii.
Equip them with the skills needed to manage psychiatric conditions they will encounter
in medial practice in both Irish and English speaking communities and,
Foster open enquiring minds and a deep approach to learning which they can carry with
them in their future medical careers.
2. To provide a first class postgraduate educational programme for trainee psychiatrists on
the Western Postgraduate Psychiatric Training Scheme.
3. To provide an excellent standard of teaching of psychiatry to other disciplines both
inside and outside the Faculty.
4. To promote, encourage and facilitate the work of high quality research in Psychiatry.
5. To embrace the concept of lifelong learning and support continuous professional
development of all staff members within the department.
1.2 Background
The Chair of Psychiatry has been vacant since the retirement of the former professor in 1997
and the Acting Head is also Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
1.3 Programmes currently contributed to
MB
MMedSc
MSc in Occupational Health and Ergonomics
1.4 Student numbers
The number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) students in the Department was 19.5 in the year
2001/02.
1.5 Staff to student ratio
The number of fulltime equivalent academic staff in the Department was 0.9 (including 1 senior
lecturer supported by a locum consultant and 3 clinical lecturers) in 2001/02 giving a staff
student ratio of 22.4 in 2001/02, as compared to a Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty
average of 17.1. There were also an affiliated senior technician and a Secretary/Administrator.
A specialist lecturer, honorary college lecturers and honorary clinical tutors also contributed to
teaching.
1.6 Costs
The cost of the Department per FTE student (€6505 for direct costs and €8645 for all costs) was
less than the Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty average (€6625 and €8412, respectively)
(2001/02 figures).
Note: Because of the complexity of resource allocation to the Medical and Health Sciences
Faculty the above figures and cannot be compared with confidence to those from other faculties
and may not agree with internal departmental estimates.
1.7 Accommodation and facilities
The academic Department is located in the Clinical Science Institute on the University College
Hospital Galway campus.
PsychiatryUdarasRep-4.doc
5/20/2004
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Psychiatry 2003
3
2. Review Group Visit and Report
This report arises from a visit by a review group to the Department of Psychiatry on 4th and 5th
February 2003. The Department had already prepared and submitted a 'Self Assessment Report'
that, with other documentation, was made available to the review team well in advance of the
visit.
The Review Group consisted of: Professor Patricia Casey, Department of Psychiatry,
Mater Misercordiae Hospital (Chairperson); Dr Margaret Cupples, Dept. of General Practice,
Queen’s University, Belfast and Professor Peter Mc Carthy, Department of Radiology, NUI,
Galway; and Ms Marilla Keating (Secretary).
2.1 Summary, and Main Recommendations from Report
The Review Group recommended:
1. The immediate appointment of a Special Lecturer with a full-time commitment to
teaching and research.
2. The filling of the Chair and Senior Lectureship in Psychiatry, with dedicated academic
sessions (50%) as agreed by the university as a priority.
3. The development of a Senior Lecturer post in child or other related Psychiatric
specialties.
4. The current post of lecturer, appointed to assist the Dean in his duties should continue.
5. Audio-visual and viewing facilities (one-way screen) are inadequate and need to be
updated. The potential for sharing with General Practice should be considered.
6. The appointment of a teacher to Behavioural Science attached to the Department of
Psychiatry.
7. The modernisation of the fifth year medical psychiatric examination once the present
crisis in manpower has been resolved
8. The Western Health Board should be approached to contribute to the library fund as it is
used by staff from Health Board hospitals.
9. A Consultant Psychiatrist providing psychiatric/psychological care to the students on
campus should be appointed rather than this being delivered by the teams in University
Hospital. This person should have a clinical and teaching link to the academic
department in University Hospital.
3. Follow up Meeting
3.30 p.m. Tuesday, 6 May 2003
Present: Professor Jim Browne - Registrar, Professor Jim Gosling - Director of Quality (Chair),
Dr Tony Carney – Dean of Medicine & Health Sciences and Acting Head of Department, Dr
Maura Hiney – Office of the Dean of Research, Ms Marilla Keating - Review Group Secretary,
Professor Peter McCarthy - Review Group, Ms Marion Fannon, Dr. Raymond O’Toole, Dr.
Anne-Marie Smith, Dr Maeve Moran. Apologies: Dr Laura Mannion, Dr Louise Conlon.
3.1 Action Plan for the Department:
1. When the Chairs of Psychiatry and Health Promotion have been filled, the new
Professors will meet to discuss the possibility of the appointment of a teacher of
Behavioural Science attached to the Department of Psychiatry in consultation with the
Department of General Practice.
PsychiatryUdarasRep-4.doc
5/20/2004
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Psychiatry 2003
4
2. The Head of Department will meet with the new Vice-President for Student Services and
Human Resources, before October 2003, to discuss the possibility of appointing an
independent Consultant Psychiatrist to provide psychiatric/psychological counselling to
the students on campus. This person may also have clinical and teaching links to the
Department.
3. The Department will explore with the Department of General Practice, before the
commencement of the first semester 2003-04, the possibility of joint applications for
improved audiovisual facilities and of sharing existing facilities.
4. When the appointments relevant to Point 2 below have been made, the Department will
undertake a fundamental review of the of 5th year Medical Psychiatric Examination
following the appointment of the new Professor of Psychiatry.
3.2 Action plan for University Management:
1. The Registrar will work to bring about the establishment of a formal WHB/NUI, Galway
Strategic Group to which existing WHB/NUI Galway working Groups would report.
2. The Registrar is fully committed to the transformation of the Department into a ‘fulltime
academic unit’ with a professor and senior lecturer, each with a 50% academic
commitment, and to the immediate filling of the Chair. As in other ‘academic units’ a
clinical tutor (contract lecturer) will also be appointed.
3. The Registrar will work with the Faculty and the Department to encourage the WHB to
rectify consultant staffing deficiencies in Child Psychiatry and to achieve the
appointment of a senior lecturer in this area.
4. The Registrar recognises that the current post of Specialist lecturer has been an vital
support for the Dean should and that that such an arrangement is essential if current
arrangements for the deanship continue.
5. The Dean will work with the Registrar to request contributions from the WHB to
enhance library facilities at the CSI and UCHG.
Approved by: Acting Head of Department, Dr P A Carney, 7th November 2003
Approved by: Dean of Medicine & Health Sciences, Dr P A Carney, 7th November 2003
Approved by: Dean of Research, Professor Gerard Hurley, 8th December 2003
Approved by: Registrar, Professor James Browne, 22nd December 2003
Finalised: 22nd December 2003, Jim Gosling, Director of Quality
PsychiatryUdarasRep-4.doc
5/20/2004