Vol. 523 No. 1
504 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association stated that stressed out consultants, who have been forced by ill health to retire early, may sue his Department. [19235/00]
The medical staffing of hospitals is being addressed by the medical manpower forum. This should result in an improvement in hospital staffing. Among the issues being addressed is the reconfiguring of the number of consultants working in hospitals, having regard to patient requirements and the increased volume of work. Final discussions on the forum's first report have yet to be completed, but I am confident that we can reach an early resolution of remaining issues.
