asked the Minister for Health his policy on the future development of exporting health care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Health Care Service.
778.
For some time my Department have had a general policy of facilitating health staffs to take up short-term employment in countries whose health services are in need of development. In the case of permanent pensionable staff, provided their employing authorities at home are prepared to release them, these facilities extend to special leave of absence with nominal pay which safeguards the staff's superannuation position. Where applicable, incremental credit is allowed to staff on return, provided the duties carried out overseas were akin to the duties normally carried out here.
My Department are not involved in recruiting health staff to work abroad or in negotiating their conditions of service while abroad. This is normally done by commercial agencies acting on behalf of the foreign health authorities.
The Government have, in recent years, entered into economic and scientific co-operation agreements with some foreign countries, particularly Middle-Eastern countries, and such agreements invariably include co-operation in the health sphere. Such co-operation normally includes the provision of training and experience here for medical, para-medical and nursing staff from these countries. In some cases, teaching staff here go abroad for short-term assignments.
There are now opportunities for agencies in this country to become involved in managing and fully staffing some hospitals in Middle-Eastern countries. We have a sufficient pool of trained staff to be in a position to export a significant quantum of services and the Government are generally supportive of developing an export business of this kind. At the same time, we have to ensure that there is no undue disruption of our own services and that the quality of the services we export are of a high standard and in keeping with the good international reputation we enjoy in this regard. I have discussed this issue with some of my Cabinet colleagues and have arranged for senior officers of the Departments concerned to examine this question to determine the most appropriate arrangements for the export of health services, having regard to the considerations which I have mentioned.