The introduction in Ireland in2008 of the clinical directorate model as the accepted method for theorganisation of health services and the involvement of clinicians in themanagement of these services is one of the most significant developments tohappen in the Irish health service in recent years. It poses major challengesfor all clinical and medical professions.

In Clinical Directorates in the Irish Health Service, Yvonne O'Shea exploresthe history and evolution of clinical directorates over the last thirty yearsin order to arrive at a deep understanding of the thinking behind them and theimpact they are likely to have on Irish health service.

This book is about making theright choices in the management of health services. It suggests that theinvolvement of clinicians in management and in making decisions about howresources are used, in acute and primary settings, is the most efficient way toguarantee the effective use of resources and the safety of patients.

Clinical Directorates in the Irish Health Service provides Irishclinical professionals with a resource to assist them in understanding theclinical directorate model and their own role within it.