Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Doctors.

Bernard Allen

Question:

223 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a proposal from the medical manpower forum that the number of non-consultant hospital doctors be reduced to 1,000 and the number of consultants increased by 600; and the implications this proposal would have for smaller hospitals around the country. [13602/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The medical staffing of hospitals is being considered by the medical manpower forum. The medical manpower forum is now at an advanced stage in agreeing its first report and is due to report shortly. The recommendations of the forum will need to be tested in a representative number of hospitals and it will be necessary to put a structure in place to assess the proposed changes.