Bernard Allen
Question:263 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a communication from Comhairle na nOspidéal recommending the need for extra cardiologists in hospitals. [16035/01]
Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.
The report of the Cardiovascular Health Strategy, 1999, "Building Healthier Hearts", made a number of recommendations in relation to the development of consultant-led cardiology services and to regional inequalities in the provision of these services. My Department asked Comhairle na nOspidéal to chair a tripartite working group, including representatives of Comhairle na nOspidéal, the Advisory Forum on Cardiovascular Health and the Department of Health and Children. The group was asked to develop a five year plan for the orderly development of consultant-led services. This group has now completed an interim report setting out its recommendations for 2002 which is currently under consideration by my Department. The group is continuing its work on the consultant requirements for 2003 onwards.
Bernard Allen
Question:264 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason only one-third of the 44 consultant appointments funded under the winter initiative have been filled. [16036/01]
I was pleased to provide funding of £32 million on foot of phase 1 of the national review of bed capacity to help alleviate service pressures and to maintain services to patients in the acute hospital sector, particularly over the winter period. The investment package was targeted at a number of key service areas, including the recruitment of an additional 29 accident and emergency consultants and 15 consultant anaesthetists.
It typically takes over 12 months to complete recruitment of a consultant on a permanent basis. In the circumstances and with a view to increasing, as soon as possible, the number of consultants working in accident and emergency departments and in anaesthetics, it was agreed with Comhairle na nOspidéal that the additional appointments in these key areas would initially be made on a temporary basis. My Department has been advised by the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority that to date, 19 accident and emergency consultants and 12 consultant anaesthetists have been appointed, have been offered, or are being offered temporary contracts on foot of the decision to recruit additional consultants. It is evident from the above that the initiative has reduced the long lead-in time normally associated with the recruitment of additional consultants. I look forward to continuing progress in these areas over the coming months.