Interventional Radiology

The aim of the National Clinical Programme for Interventional Radiology (NCPIR) is to provide a framework for the delivery of high-quality, timely, accessible and equitable interventional radiology (IR) care for all patients and support improvements in the organisation of IR services nationally.

The first Model of Care for Interventional Radiology was published in February 2026.

This is a national framework for the delivery of 24/7, networked emergency and elective IR services for Irish patients over the next 10 years. It will serve as a clinically driven roadmap for the future provision of services in body IR, neuro IR and paediatric IR in both model 3 and model 4 hospitals.

Key priorities

The key priority of the NCPIR is to support the implementation of the recommendations of the Model of Care for Interventional Radiology at national and regional level.

In particular, the NCPIR will:

  • Continue to advocate for the urgent need for 24/7 emergency IR services in all health regions and work with the regions and individual hospitals to achieve this.
  • Collaborate with relevant stakeholder groups to address current limitations around IR activity data.
  • Strengthen links with general practitioners (GPs) and colleagues in the community, particularly in relation to establishing pathways for direct GP referrals for specific elective IR procedures and enabling urgent follow-up access directly to IR services.
  • Devise a plan for quality improvement and audit in IR.
  • Support workforce planning and education development initiatives to address current deficits.

Core principles

The priorities of the NCPIR are underpinned by several important principles including:

Equity in health

We make recommendations on how IR services should be organised and delivered, prioritising equity of access across the country

Sustainability

We consider workforce requirements and how these can be achieved. This is essential to address the current crisis in IR consultant numbers and long-term sustainability of IR.

Integration of care

We promote integration across the healthcare spectrum, including direct referrals from the community, joined-up pathways and formal links with a wide range of acute specialties.

Clinical Lead: Professor Michael Lee

Programme Manager: Sara Kavanagh

A multidisciplinary working group has been established to help the programme achieve its objectives. This group includes consultant interventional radiologists, radiographers and IR nurses, in addition to representatives from related clinical disciplines including surgery, trauma, anaesthesia and obstetrics.

An overarching clinical advisory group – which includes a patient representative – provides clinical oversight, assurance and strategic guidance to the programme.

If you have any queries, please contact us by emailing NCPIR@rcsi.ie.

  • Interventional Radiology Model of Care – ancillary documents: We are developing a suite of concise, standalone documents to support and reinforce the recommendations outlined in the Model of Care for Interventional Radiology (February 2026). These documents are intended to provide clear strategic direction and strengthen the case for the development of sustainable, equitable, and high-quality IR services. Each document will focus on a key priority area within IR, such as 24/7 emergency IR provision, paediatric IR and the delivery of IR services in model 3 hospitals.
  • Driving improvements in IR data: We are working to improve the capture and recording of IR activity data within national systems, including the Hospital-Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE) and the National Imaging Management Information System (NIMIS). Enhancements in data quality and visibility will support IR services to demonstrate activity, inform service planning, secure appropriate resourcing and measure key performance indicators.
  • Strengthening links with general practice and the community: The NCPIR is progressing work to strengthen collaboration with GPs and colleagues in the community. This includes: establishing pathways for direct GP referrals for selective elective IR procedures; and facilitating appropriate access to urgent IR follow-up care, where clinically indicated, to reduce avoidable emergency department attendances (e.g. management of blocked drain, tubes, device-related complications).
  • Planning for quality improvement and audit in interventional radiology: We work with relevant stakeholder groups to establish a structured approach to quality assurance and audit in IR. This includes the integration of IR into a formal quality improvement programme, with defined, measurable and reportable key performance indicators.
  • Supporting workforce planning and education development initiatives: We actively support initiatives to identify and address current workforce training and education needs within IR. This includes collaboration with nursing and radiography professional groups, as well as engagement with the Faculty of Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists to advocate for the development and expansion of IR consultant training opportunities and with intern network programme directors to stress the importance of assigning interns IR departments.