Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Staffing Levels.

Frank Crowley

Question:

101 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Health whether staffing levels in relation to junior hospital doctors in this country compare favourably with similar staffing levels in other EU countries; the countries with which Ireland can be favourably compared; the countries with which Ireland does not compare favourably; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The medical career structure in Ireland is broadly similar to that in the UK but cannot be compared so easily to mainland Europe or North America.

Some relevant staffing ratios for Ireland and the UK are set out below:

	Ireland	N/Ireland	Scotland	England and Wales
	(1992)	(1990)	(1992)	(1992)
Consultant/NCHD ratio	1:2	1:1.7	1:1.8	1:1.8
Population per NCHD	1:1,500	1:1,500	1:1,300	1:1,700

I should add that a collaborative study group under the chairmanship of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department is presently examining the distribution of medical manpower in acute hospitals which includes consideration of the adequacy of consultant and NCHD staffing levels. The group have circulated a discussion document to all those with an interest in the subject and are considering the large number of responses received to date.