Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Doctors.

Bernard Allen

Question:

221 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on a reported situation where Irish hospitals will have to curtail anaesthetic services for elective surgery, and even epidurals, if the current manpower crisis continues to worsen in relation to the availability of non-consultant hospital doctors. [9999/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The recruitment of non consultant hospital doctors in all specialties is a matter for individual hospitals and health boards. NCHD posts which are not recognised for training purposes are increasingly difficult to fill. There is no evidence to suggest that any significant curtailment of services has occurred, or is likely to occur, for this reason alone.