Vol. 514 No. 3
203 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to deal with a situation where there are only 16 accident and emergency consultant posts when there should be at least 55 as agreed at a recent meeting between the chairman of the Accident and Emergency Consultants' Association and health board chief executives. [4046/00]
The medical staffing of hospitals is currently being examined by the Medical Manpower Forum. Among the items being considered is a greater physical presence of fully trained doctors in hospitals to care for patients' needs as appropriate. It is accepted that accident and emergency departments are one area where patient care would benefit from the provision of more fully trained doctors. The Medical Manpower Forum is due to submit its interim report shortly.
